Yesterday at church, I taught the K-5th kiddos. Since last week was spring break, many of our families went out of town. The Texan families all flew south and the family that "summers in The Hamptons" went out there...or somewhere. So, we were left with only 4 true New Yorkers. We had the most adorable 7-year-old girl who I had never met before. Her name was Toni...or Elisiana. Whatever. She was extremely smart and mature and quite funny for her age. So, the first thing we do when the kids come in is the story. Other than a quick introduction of Toni (aka Elisiana), she had not really heard me speak. The stories for the K-5th kids are long (in my opinion, way too long) and I try to do my best to keep their attention by being animated, asking questions, etc... So, I'm about half-way through the story and Toni says, "Are you a teenager"?
Me: What?
Toni: Are you a teenager?
Me: Oh, no! I'm waaaayyy older than a teenager.
Toni: Well, why do you talk like that?
Me: Like what????!! (slightly worried at this point)
And then Toni proceeds to try to mimic me and comes off looking/sounding just like a teenager! Holy crap....do I sound like a teenager when I talk?!? Anyway, I've gotten over it now and I'm pretty sure it's the voice I use when I tell the stories. I know I'm not the most eloquent/sophisticated/educated sounding speaker on a normal basis, but I'm pretty sure I don't sound like the Sweet Valley Twins. I hope not.
Anyway, having the smaller group was sooo fun! I felt like I got to know the kids a little better and they were so much easier to control than when some of the more WILD ones are there. The other teacher brought her guitar and played/sang some praise songs at the end...I wasn't sure the kids would be all that in to it, but they sat more still than I've ever seen them! It was great!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Ed Begley, JR it IS!
Congrats, Elizabeth! You guessed the mystery actor! I'll treat you to some wine or a gyro or something else in Greece for getting it right :) I didn't have a clue who he was when I saw his name in your guess, but I looked him up on imdb.com, and sure enough it's the guy I saw. I think I was a bit mis-leading on my clues, but I didn't have much to work with!! Kudos to Nicole (cousin) for knowing the actress and doing so much research on the guys :) If you can't tell from her lengthy list of guesses, my family is really into games (excluding Beth...unless you count Scrabble. I don't.) Nicole, I'll have to treat you to some watermelon or sweet corn at Dows Corn Days in Iowa in August (I actually did research and they do have these things there. They also have a Cake Walk - Do you remember the Cake Walk??? We are SOOO there - 12:00, noon. I mean, since they're not having cake at the wedding, we'll just have to win one, right?!?!).
This past week was pretty uneventful other than being pretty productive around home. I've got a bag full of clothes to take to the Salvation Army and that was just work-out clothes/old t-shirts & sweatshirts - I've definitely got more to come! Cleaning up before I move 'em out!
I did go see Young Frankenstein on B'way on Friday night. It was not my favorite. I really didn't like the first half at all, but the second half was much better. It was a star-studded show...Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), as well as Broadway-famed Sutton Foster, Shuyler Hensley, and Andrea Martin. You can't beat a cast like that and they were great and the show was entertaining. But, if you haven't seen the movie (I hadn't or I might not have gone), it's full of that kind of silly humor. The kind of humor I just don't think is funny. So, that's the main thing that turned me off.
We also grabbed dinner in my neighborhood at TaCocina....actually pretty good Tex-Mex! They need some lessons on the Margarita, though. I have a list of restaurants in my neighborhood that I want to make it to before I move to another 'hood. Hell's Kitchen is kind of known for its restaurants and there are just too many good and interesting places to miss out on! I was able to make it to one other last week -- an American Bistro called Rachel's. I met my mom's friend, De Ann there (she stayed for a whole extra week after mom left). I had heard good things about Rachel's and it was really good. We both got chicken dishes and both cleared our plates. The food seemed healthier and lighter than most restaurants these days and that was kind of nice!
This past week was pretty uneventful other than being pretty productive around home. I've got a bag full of clothes to take to the Salvation Army and that was just work-out clothes/old t-shirts & sweatshirts - I've definitely got more to come! Cleaning up before I move 'em out!
I did go see Young Frankenstein on B'way on Friday night. It was not my favorite. I really didn't like the first half at all, but the second half was much better. It was a star-studded show...Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), as well as Broadway-famed Sutton Foster, Shuyler Hensley, and Andrea Martin. You can't beat a cast like that and they were great and the show was entertaining. But, if you haven't seen the movie (I hadn't or I might not have gone), it's full of that kind of silly humor. The kind of humor I just don't think is funny. So, that's the main thing that turned me off.
We also grabbed dinner in my neighborhood at TaCocina....actually pretty good Tex-Mex! They need some lessons on the Margarita, though. I have a list of restaurants in my neighborhood that I want to make it to before I move to another 'hood. Hell's Kitchen is kind of known for its restaurants and there are just too many good and interesting places to miss out on! I was able to make it to one other last week -- an American Bistro called Rachel's. I met my mom's friend, De Ann there (she stayed for a whole extra week after mom left). I had heard good things about Rachel's and it was really good. We both got chicken dishes and both cleared our plates. The food seemed healthier and lighter than most restaurants these days and that was kind of nice!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Name that Actor(ress)
Okay, readers! I need your help! Last week, I saw 1 actress and 1 actor in two different places and I can't figure out who they were!! I saw the actress as I was leaving the Meryl event. I went to the bathroom after the show and then left by myself and she was leaving at the same time...the paparazzi outside were going crazy for her (and one called out to her husband and snapped a picture of him, so I guess he's someone too, but I never caught a glimpse of his face). Anyway, they were yelling "Christine" at her, so I know that's her name. And I was able to get a good picture. So, tell me...who is it and what's she been in? Or maybe she's a newscaster or something? I can't figure it out.
Now, on to the actor. I saw him walking on my street, 52nd Street...just about 2 blocks from my apartment, near Broadway. It was after Little Mermaid and all the shows were getting out, so he was probably coming from Hairspray or Jersey Boys, which are also on 52nd Street. Unfortunately, I have no pic, so this one's going to be a little harder! Here's what I do know...he's tallish...definitely over 6 feet. He has blond hair, that's thinning a little, but still a pretty full head of hair....and definitely blond. He's probably in his 50's, maybe 60. I think he's been in sitcoms...including, probably, some old ones he did when he was much younger. My mom guessed Ron Howard...it wasn't him, but I feel like it was someone LIKE him, with a similar resume, maybe.
Any guesses? Leave me a comment!! It's been driving me crazy!
Now, on to the actor. I saw him walking on my street, 52nd Street...just about 2 blocks from my apartment, near Broadway. It was after Little Mermaid and all the shows were getting out, so he was probably coming from Hairspray or Jersey Boys, which are also on 52nd Street. Unfortunately, I have no pic, so this one's going to be a little harder! Here's what I do know...he's tallish...definitely over 6 feet. He has blond hair, that's thinning a little, but still a pretty full head of hair....and definitely blond. He's probably in his 50's, maybe 60. I think he's been in sitcoms...including, probably, some old ones he did when he was much younger. My mom guessed Ron Howard...it wasn't him, but I feel like it was someone LIKE him, with a similar resume, maybe.
Any guesses? Leave me a comment!! It's been driving me crazy!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Rest of the Week
Last weekend/Monday were definitely the highlights of mom's week in NYC, but we had fun the rest of the week, too. Of course, mom and De Ann had a lot more fun times without me while I was at work. We all went to see the Little Mermaid on Broadway on Wednesday night. It's the latest Disney show to hit Broadway and I really wanted to see it because most the other Disney shows are so impressive. Luckily, this was what De Ann really wanted to see because I haven't had much luck talking anyone else into seeing it! It was cute - not the best Disney show on B'way, but still good. I always enjoy a show that I already know the music to so that was a bonus for this one as well!
Thursday, I grabbed sushi at the grocery store and went over and played Rummikub with the ladies. My mom and I love games and De Ann's family is addicted (seriously) to Rummikub, so I've played this with these ladies all over the US now...in Dallas, Nantucket, and NYC!
Friday, I did some stuff on my own before heading back to play more Rummikub and come up with a plan-of-attack for Saturday. Saturday ended up being a great day! The weather was incredible - it's finally spring here!!! We went up to the Madame Alexander doll store in Harlem. De Ann was in search for a lost shoe. Mom and I aren't really doll people, but we tagged along. They ended up giving us a tour of the factory and we all actually really enjoyed it!
Just a small section in one of the rooms filled
with dolls
I loved all the Rockette's dolls they did this year
for their 75th Anniversary show.
After the doll factory, we headed over for a Harlem soul-food lunch at AmyRuth's...the place I blogged about recently that serves fried meats and waffles. I got the chicken and waffles this time - I think I liked the shrimp better. It's way too much food, though. Next time I will definitely just get waffles - they're the best ever! My mom and De Ann loved this place!
Next, we headed back to the Upper West for some walking around and stops for desserts. Yes, dessertS. There were 2 places mom hadn't gotten to that were on her list....Levain for their awesome cookies and Beard Papa's for their cream puffs. We all got one of each to go since we weren't hungry at all and saved them for later. My Levain cookie later that night was all I needed for dinner - yum!
Then, we headed back for a few more rounds of Rummikub and had to put mom in a cab for LGA. I was sad to see her go and am not sure when I'll see her next! De Ann is still in town this week so I may meet up with her for dinner one night.
Thursday, I grabbed sushi at the grocery store and went over and played Rummikub with the ladies. My mom and I love games and De Ann's family is addicted (seriously) to Rummikub, so I've played this with these ladies all over the US now...in Dallas, Nantucket, and NYC!
Friday, I did some stuff on my own before heading back to play more Rummikub and come up with a plan-of-attack for Saturday. Saturday ended up being a great day! The weather was incredible - it's finally spring here!!! We went up to the Madame Alexander doll store in Harlem. De Ann was in search for a lost shoe. Mom and I aren't really doll people, but we tagged along. They ended up giving us a tour of the factory and we all actually really enjoyed it!
Just a small section in one of the rooms filled
with dolls
I loved all the Rockette's dolls they did this year
for their 75th Anniversary show.
They've done dolls of lots of movie and B'way show characters...including Wizard of Oz!
After the doll factory, we headed over for a Harlem soul-food lunch at AmyRuth's...the place I blogged about recently that serves fried meats and waffles. I got the chicken and waffles this time - I think I liked the shrimp better. It's way too much food, though. Next time I will definitely just get waffles - they're the best ever! My mom and De Ann loved this place!
Next, we headed back to the Upper West for some walking around and stops for desserts. Yes, dessertS. There were 2 places mom hadn't gotten to that were on her list....Levain for their awesome cookies and Beard Papa's for their cream puffs. We all got one of each to go since we weren't hungry at all and saved them for later. My Levain cookie later that night was all I needed for dinner - yum!
Then, we headed back for a few more rounds of Rummikub and had to put mom in a cab for LGA. I was sad to see her go and am not sure when I'll see her next! De Ann is still in town this week so I may meet up with her for dinner one night.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
My Most Favorite Event of the Year!
Last Monday was my favorite event in NYC...the Lincoln Center Film Society Annual Gala. It is for things like this that I live in NYC. You may remember that last year I went when Diane Keaton was honored. This year, the honoree was Meryl Streep! My mom and her friend De Ann were in town and got to come along with me. They had a great time, too! They were able to get there early and see some major red carpet action -- they were literally standing on the edge of the red carpet and towards the front where the celebs got out of their cars - perfect location and they got great pics. I missed most of that and only saw the last few celebs arrive. The tribute speeches weren't as good as last year, but still fun to hear. Anyway, the pics will explain it best! Again, like last year, you can see the actual person in each pic at the bottom, but they were also projected on a screen that is also shown in the pics. They look much further away in the pictures than they did in person.
I arrived just in time to see Meryl
arrive!
Meryl's 3 girls followed shortly behind. The
center daughter is also an actress, Mamie Gummer
When the red carpet action slowed down,
we rushed to get our seats in the balcony
Mom and De Ann
Robert Redford was the first
actor to give a tribute speech
Christopher Walken's speech
was short and kind of awkard
Robert De Niro tried to be a comedian.
It was kind of mean at first! But
then he got pretty nice in honoring
Meryl.
Mike Nichols (big time director
and wife of Diane Sawyer)
I've never been a huge Uma
Thurman fan, but loved her
at this! She was beautiful,
elegant, and a great speaker!
Jonathan Demme, directed
Meryl in Manchurian Candidate
Garrison Keillor, wrote & starred with Meryl
in Prarie Home Companion. I
thought it was strange that he
mentioned Lindsay Lohan when
speaking about Meryl...she was
in the movie too, but any mention
of LL and you begin to lose
credibility!
Stanley Tucci from Devil Wears Prada
Amy Adams - so cute & sweet!
Amy presented the award to Meryl
Meryl giving her acceptance speech
Her speech was great - really
funny!
I arrived just in time to see Meryl
arrive!
Meryl's 3 girls followed shortly behind. The
center daughter is also an actress, Mamie Gummer
When the red carpet action slowed down,
we rushed to get our seats in the balcony
Mom and De Ann
Robert Redford was the first
actor to give a tribute speech
Christopher Walken's speech
was short and kind of awkard
Robert De Niro tried to be a comedian.
It was kind of mean at first! But
then he got pretty nice in honoring
Meryl.
Mike Nichols (big time director
and wife of Diane Sawyer)
I've never been a huge Uma
Thurman fan, but loved her
at this! She was beautiful,
elegant, and a great speaker!
Jonathan Demme, directed
Meryl in Manchurian Candidate
Garrison Keillor, wrote & starred with Meryl
in Prarie Home Companion. I
thought it was strange that he
mentioned Lindsay Lohan when
speaking about Meryl...she was
in the movie too, but any mention
of LL and you begin to lose
credibility!
Stanley Tucci from Devil Wears Prada
Amy Adams - so cute & sweet!
Amy presented the award to Meryl
Meryl giving her acceptance speech
Her speech was great - really
funny!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Weekending in The Hamptons
This past weekend, Mom and I spent a fabulous two days in The Hamptons. We saw every town, but could easily have spent a whole week exploring each of the little villages more. The Hamptons are filled with great food, great shopping, great beaches...what girl wouldn't love it? Oh, to be one of the New York socialites who "summer in The Hamptons"!
What we did:
* Lunch in Southampton at 75 Main...a restaurant frequented by celebs such as Gwyenth Paltrow. It was a noisy restaurant with a lot of people socializing. The food was delicious! We split nut-crusted brie and a pecan/cranberry/Gorgonzola salad.
* Shopping on Main Street and Job's Lane in Southampton. This was probably our favorite "Hampton". I found a piece of furniture that I was dying to buy...it was a good price and sooo cute. It didn't make sense to buy something now since I'm about to move and don't know what I'll need. We also decided maybe I could find a cheap piece in New York and figure out how to paint it similar to the piece we saw...we'll see, but it sounds like a fun project!
Each little village had a Main Street that looked
similar to this one in Southampton. This picture
doesn't do it justice - so cute!
Job's Lane, Southampton
Saks in Southampton...in the old Town Hall, no less!
I thought this Mickey D's was funny. See what's
missing? The roof and the golden arches over
the red sign! Obviously Hamptons ordinances
in full effect!
* Driving through the neighborhoods in Southampton, Bridgehampton, and East Hampton. The houses are enormous and so cute. We were especially amazed at the size of some of the lots - huge amounts of land! Mom had the street names where Martha Stewart and Jerry Seinfeld have houses. We didn't have exact addresses, so we didn't know which was Jerry's. Mom guessed which was Martha's and when I got home I googled it and verified that mom always knows best when it comes to hunting down celebs. Her house had more security than the others, which is what tipped mom off. Here is my pic of Martha's house!
* Checked out the public beaches in several places. I was surprised there were public beaches at all - I thought they were all private out there.
* Dinner at Nick & Toni's in East Hampton...another celeb hot-spot. It was, again, delicious food. We split their zucchini chips that we'd read about (they were awesome) and some pasta.
* Spent Saturday night in a cute & cozy Bed & Breakfast. We weren't there long, but had a good night's sleep and a great breakfast!
* Explored the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Such a picturesque lighthouse! There were some trails around the light house that led to the beach and I had fun exploring those. It was a gorgeous morning on Sunday and so nice to be outside.
* Sunday lunch at World Pie in Bridgehampton...a pizza place mom had read about as being "chic & cheap". Again, amazing food! We split one of the best salads I've ever had...it was some greens, pear slices, Gorgonzola, and pecans. I had no idea that pears and Gorgonzola compliment each other so well! The pizza...mozzarella, pesto, and prosciutto was good, too.
* Shopping in other villages...Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, Sag Harbor. There were so many cute stores. I could have gone in every single one, but because we only had 2 days, we had to pick just the ones that looked best. I especially loved all the furniture stores - really unique antiques. I would love to go back with an SUV someday and pick up a couple of pieces!
The Amagansett Square
East Hampton's Main Street
Sag Harbor
Each town has a cute Water Mill -
this is Bridgehampton's
East Hampton's water mill in the middle
of a cemetery
Sag Harbor's
What we did:
* Lunch in Southampton at 75 Main...a restaurant frequented by celebs such as Gwyenth Paltrow. It was a noisy restaurant with a lot of people socializing. The food was delicious! We split nut-crusted brie and a pecan/cranberry/Gorgonzola salad.
* Shopping on Main Street and Job's Lane in Southampton. This was probably our favorite "Hampton". I found a piece of furniture that I was dying to buy...it was a good price and sooo cute. It didn't make sense to buy something now since I'm about to move and don't know what I'll need. We also decided maybe I could find a cheap piece in New York and figure out how to paint it similar to the piece we saw...we'll see, but it sounds like a fun project!
Each little village had a Main Street that looked
similar to this one in Southampton. This picture
doesn't do it justice - so cute!
Job's Lane, Southampton
Saks in Southampton...in the old Town Hall, no less!
I thought this Mickey D's was funny. See what's
missing? The roof and the golden arches over
the red sign! Obviously Hamptons ordinances
in full effect!
* Driving through the neighborhoods in Southampton, Bridgehampton, and East Hampton. The houses are enormous and so cute. We were especially amazed at the size of some of the lots - huge amounts of land! Mom had the street names where Martha Stewart and Jerry Seinfeld have houses. We didn't have exact addresses, so we didn't know which was Jerry's. Mom guessed which was Martha's and when I got home I googled it and verified that mom always knows best when it comes to hunting down celebs. Her house had more security than the others, which is what tipped mom off. Here is my pic of Martha's house!
* Checked out the public beaches in several places. I was surprised there were public beaches at all - I thought they were all private out there.
* Dinner at Nick & Toni's in East Hampton...another celeb hot-spot. It was, again, delicious food. We split their zucchini chips that we'd read about (they were awesome) and some pasta.
* Spent Saturday night in a cute & cozy Bed & Breakfast. We weren't there long, but had a good night's sleep and a great breakfast!
* Explored the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Such a picturesque lighthouse! There were some trails around the light house that led to the beach and I had fun exploring those. It was a gorgeous morning on Sunday and so nice to be outside.
* Sunday lunch at World Pie in Bridgehampton...a pizza place mom had read about as being "chic & cheap". Again, amazing food! We split one of the best salads I've ever had...it was some greens, pear slices, Gorgonzola, and pecans. I had no idea that pears and Gorgonzola compliment each other so well! The pizza...mozzarella, pesto, and prosciutto was good, too.
* Shopping in other villages...Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, Sag Harbor. There were so many cute stores. I could have gone in every single one, but because we only had 2 days, we had to pick just the ones that looked best. I especially loved all the furniture stores - really unique antiques. I would love to go back with an SUV someday and pick up a couple of pieces!
The Amagansett Square
East Hampton's Main Street
Sag Harbor
Each town has a cute Water Mill -
this is Bridgehampton's
East Hampton's water mill in the middle
of a cemetery
Sag Harbor's
Happy Happy!
Today is my 2-year-versary in New York City! In some ways it feels like two years, but in a lot of ways it doesn't at all!! Today is also the wedding anniversary's of Mike & Maggie and Jenn & Todd AND it's the birthday of our dear family friend, Miriam Perry! Until tonight when my mom reminded me it is Miriam's birthday and Jenn & Todd's blog reminded me of their anniversary (which, in turn, reminded me of Maggie's), I never put together all the milestones today represents. So, happy, happy to everyone!!
I have had QUITE the exciting NYC week, which seems just perfect for my anniversary week. I've got some major blogging to do. Stay tuned...I'll try to get part of it blogged tonight!
I have had QUITE the exciting NYC week, which seems just perfect for my anniversary week. I've got some major blogging to do. Stay tuned...I'll try to get part of it blogged tonight!
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