recent findings

An awuful blurry photo. So glad for flight attendant friends who drop in for a day.

Dinner with Miss Patricia De la Torre at Busaba Eathai and a visit to Big Ben/London Eye/Westminster Bridge.

Song: How Deep is The Ocean (Irving Berlin's White Christmas)

Movie: I am embarassed to admit I attended a midnight showing. In the words of one Kate Fujikawa: "I didn't know Twilight was a comedy! It definitely had me laughing."

Activity: Strictly Come Dancing at Wembley Arena (UK's version of Dancing With the Stars)

Sight: A coatrack that  fell from the wall.

Smell: BACON. Yes! I blame Danielle and Will for my new affinity towards bacon. Remember how I was once repulsed by it? I wish that time was now.

Drink: eggnog steamer at Starbucks!

Frustration 1: Ignored intuition

Frustration 2: Lack of progression

Excitement: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Excitement 2: Elise will be here in just 4 days. PTL.

Project: I wish I could say something fun like "Producing this concert featuring..." but instead, I have to say two 4,000-word essays for KCL.

New favorite London thing: Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

recent findings

As one Logan Duran would say: "Yo HEEEY!"

It's been a while, dear friends. I've been reading like it's my job, which it actually is...

 and traveling, but more on that later.

It's been a while since one of these, so I figured I might as well:

1. ACCESSORY: Can my Uggs count as an accessory? Yes? I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. I know they're pretty ugly, but my feet feel like they are walking on a cloud.
2. WEATHER: too cold for me, as usual.

3. MUSICAL: At the moment, Les Mis is at the top, but I've also been listening to Company A LOT. (Robbie Rob would be proud!)
4. MOVIE: Ides of March... Like I would even dare to list anything that doesn't have the very handsome Mr. Gosling in it.

5. ACTIVITY OF THE DAY: Zumba and yoga. I am a better dancer than I am a yogi. Is that even a sentence? Whatever.
6. BROKEN RULE: Eating out. Busaba Eathai gets me every time!

7. TREAT: Dulce de Leche purchased from Covent Garden.
8. SMELL: Almond butter. Thanks, KEZ.
9. TASTE: toothpaste
10. SOUND: A Wink and A Smile (Harry Connick Jr.). I am an old soul, and like oldish music.
11. SIGHT: Aberdeen Place
12. FEEL: Hope...deep hope

13. SONG: Adele. Make You Feel My Love
14. FRUSTRATION: Having to play "the game." I am not a good game player... or a competitive person.
15. FRUSTRATION 2: Waiting and knowing I did everything I could and now it is out of my hands.

16. EXCITEMENT: Elise will be here in 20 days. 20 DAYS.
17. MEMORY: John Alix's Burlesque dance class.... not ACTUAL burlesque, but just choreography to that song from the movie Burlesque.
18. ADVICE: Follow your dream (mommy!)

19. READ: No book. :( Loads of journal articles for school.
20. PROJECT: Internship blog

for the love!

Contrary to popular belief, this post has nothing to do with Valentine's Day because the only good thing about Valentine's Day is the movie Valentine's Day.

I think there is something definitely wrong when I have absolutely nothing to say. 

That time is now.

And I NEED to actually write not one but five personal statements. 

This isn't good.

I will say that I have a lot to say about things not related to what I do need to say. Such as...

* I will absolutely die if Natalie Portman doesn't win the Oscar.

* Inception... WHAT?

* I need a vacation. STAT... and I may get struck by lighting for saying this, 

but I am not talking about an European adventure.

 I am talking about the Grand Hyatt Resort in Kauai, 

with a very large DC on hand, tunes on the iphone and endless books to read. 

When you have actually BEEN in this place, how could you not want to go back?

* What in the world will I do when I run out of Stephen's Hot Chocolate? 

I only have enough for one more portion.

* Why am I obsessed with grocery shopping at expensive stores? 

Zabar's, Eli's, Gourmet Garage and Citarella will be the end of me... or my wallet. 

* And... in response to a certain e-mail from a certain ivy league university that I received just now: AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thursday

New York has quite literally frozen over. 

Why, just yesterday morn, I ice skated down my street and over to 

the 3 train because walking would have been pointless... 

Not to mention, less fun. 

The cold and ice and snow are all getting old. 

In fact, I think they got old back in November... 

Before any of it really started. 

I guess I should be grateful I am not the owner of a Toyota Matrix I saw parked on East 76th Street covered under a sparkly blanket of ICE. A REALLY thick sparkly blanket of ice.

Someone always has bigger problems.

Am I the only person in the history of the world who is way unfamiliar with Groundhog Day?

I will tell you this, according to one William Broumand, my name is now Betsy Groundhog.

I help to solve some kind of crime. I forget exactly what...

Our new abode is almost ready for a proper house warming. 

A new couch has been purchased.

Last minute repairs have been taken care of...

Well... there is still the midget deadbolt lock situation,
 but that may have to be resolved in the near future.

We finally have Internet and cable. 

Thank goodness. I don't know how many more movies I could have re-watched.

Pictures to come soon... If I can find my camera. 

Exciting trips are in my near future.

Sadly, neither involves lots of sun and sand.

More like lots of layers of clothing and chain restaurants.

One involves Bolt-busing it down to DC.

The other involves driving as fast as possible to catch a 10PM show of Prometheus Bound at ART.

Sadly, neither involves crossing the Atlantic, 

but do stay tuned as this may also be resolved in the near future.

Just one last thing... Who is responsible for this design? 

Really? I look down on your font choices. 

jour de dinde = début de noël

 In exactly 8 hours, I will board a bus to Tom's River, NJ. I bet you're jealous. But really, I am quite excited to spend the Thanksgiving holiday and all that it  entails with Rob and his very Italian family... or so I've heard. I hope they make lots of stuffing b/c that's sort of the only Thanksgiving food I really love. Everything else is sort of okay.

 Tis the season to watch Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York as often as possible. Tis also the season for awesomely bad movies courtesy of the ABC Family channel and Lifetime network.

5 days is all that stands between me and my Christmas tree. 

My bangs are doing some kind of sticky-up thing and I'm really not into that. Settle down already. 

How will I live without this face for 4 days?

NO DIET COKE. Ever again*. If you see me trying to buy one, please, intervene. 

I really like it when people have great music on their blogs. On the other hand, I really hate it when people have terrible music on their blogs. In my case, I will spare you all from having to listen to "Let the Sunshine In," "Three-Five-Zero,"and "I Turned a Corner" which are currently the top 3 in my itunes "Top 25" list on repeat. Sad, really. I promise I do listen to other songs. Like... good ones. On people's blogs. 

So... when can I go see Harry Potter again?

I need a Christmas reading list. ASAP. I don't mean Christmas-themed books. Just books. The fact that I picked up a Meg Cabot from my bookshelf to read for the 17th time should be an indicator of how badly I need book ideas. Got any? Please be sure that anything that is serious-ish or biographical is out of the question. I love Charles Dickens as much as the next person, but the point of the Christmas list is to read fun books quickly. Not sure any such books can fall under that category.

Is GMail unusually slow for anyone else?

The December issue of Cooking Light is out with an amazing array of holiday-type food. I have assigned myself as chef for the holidays at my house and my family will love every bit of it. Especially my mom. She hates that I make her make me the lemon cream chicken supremes every year. Well, now she wont have to... for Christmas dinner. I better get those sometime between Dec. 26-30.

That is all for now. I suppose I have some exciting news regarding a producing project but I'm sort already on vacation till Monday, so check back then! :)

*let's be honest. i'll probably have Diet Coke for lunch today. Shut up. 

I suppose it was only a matter of time...

Before my haircut circa 1997-1999 made a come back. My sister did a fantastic job and I love it

So true. So true.

“Nothing makes a woman feel better than a whole slew of gay men cheering you on, striking poses, and just making you feel good about yourself and making you laugh when you’re feeling insecure."

~Rachel Zoe

P.S. Gay men of the world, I love you, but please have  your straight male friends call me. Ok thanks bye.

for the record...

if i send you an email that requires a clear answer, PLEASE answer it.

like, really, you can't take 2 minutes to write me back?

PET PEEEEEEEEVE.

dear dell,

i hate you so much right now. and i don't love your computers or the fact that you tried to design them to look like macs. but you have really nice customer service representatives, so at least you have that going for you.

love,

me

p.s. i'm buying a mac.

i'm gonna make it by any means, i've got a pocketful of dreams

i don't know why i thought of this today, but as i was walking my favorite nyc stretch tonight with ashley, i was reminded of october 11 of last year. that day, all of broadway impact marched in dc for equal rights. on the way back from dc, somewhere in the middle of nowhere and in between sleeps, i said to ashley: our lives are pretty amazing. we had just marched in dc. made history. stood up for a cause... and even though we were super tired, we had every intention of going to the march afterparty. we live in nyc and have so many opportunities. we meet amazing and inspiring people. we get to see theater as often as we want. we see dreams become realities. we form new dreams. we embrace the unknown and welcome changes. we move past harsh realities. we become enchanted with this city each and everyday. how very lucky we all are... where would i be if not here? i'm so lucky to have this moment in my life.

recent findings*

tv show: lost, lost, LOST. i am so hooked.
phone call: mumee. she was driving through alligator alley en route to our house from ft. myers.
excitement: memphis on broadway on wednesday, y'all. i'm excited.
treat: homemade magnolia bakery lemon bars. yum yum.
book: something blue. i've read it on at least 2 other occasions but i love seeing the way the story develops. plus, there is something so charming about stories that take place in london.
frustration: a let down by someone i really care about.
frustration 2: pigeons, i hate YOU.
hope: new opportunities
hope 2: trips to see my loved ones. baby, siblings, mom, and friends in utah. and karson and betsy: i double delta nu sister swear i will come get my stuff out of your basement soon...ish.
feeling: sleepy. hello zyrtec, bye bye allergies!
accessory: cocktail ring i got from mom for christmas. no, i am not engaged for the 345th time. can't a girl just wear a pretty ring without a million stares and questions? i guess not. ah well... deal with it. i'm not taking it off.
restaurant: nizza on 9th between 44th and 45th. LOVE this delicious and suprisingly light italian fare.
goal: gym, gym and more gym. i always go but i really feel like i can do soo much better. the real bummer is that they took away the afro jazz dance class and replaced it with pole dancing. um...no thank you. ballet barre it is. for the record, ballet barre kicks my butt. and i suck at ballet.
movie: last i saw was leap year. and it was fine. nothing special, but cute enough.
song: might still happen. again, gc puts my thoughts to song perfectly.
dream: something about a birthday which fell on valentine's day (this year, and this year only), my sister, dinner with the macdonals who i haven't seen in like 10 years and steel? like the person. his name really is that.
language: well...i am thinking in english... just read something in french and sang in spanish so....
tomorrow: work, dance class, gym. and of course, more lost.

here's what i have learned...*

* it is okay to have opinions even if no one agrees with you.
* don't write anyone off. these people could become your closest friends.
* don't leave a huge tv sitting in the middle of the living room floor and then try to cross said floor with the lights off. you might break your toe. or something.
* there are some things i can't change.
* if you need a bathroom in times square, the marriott marquis bathrooms never have a line and are always clean.
* i.hate.pigeons.
* church is everything. nothing else can bring me closer to my savior.
* my family is the best.
* i am ridiculously hopeful about stuff, which sometimes can be hard.
* a walk down to the juice generation on 45th and 9th is totally worth it. even if i am freezing cold on my way back.
* the most meaningful thing someone has given me this year is acceptance of my beliefs and religion. and a hug to go with it.
* ugg boots may look ugly but once you wear them, you will never want to take them off.
* i miss my byu friends, but we're still close.
* there is free internet at the coffee roasting plant in the village and they are open 24 hours.
* barnes and noble at lincoln square has red velvet cupcakes from the cheesecake factory.
* it is ok to step away from something you are good at to pursue your true passion.
* don't wait for things to happen. get out there and get them done!
* sometimes, you are your own obstacle. get over yourself and move on...
* i miss starry nights. like, actual nights, not the van gogh painting.
* dancing makes me frustrated, but fred is patient and is helping me get better at it.
* i am grateful for people who inspire me.
* chipotle is the devil.
* prayers work.
* i had exactly two moments this year when i did a happy dance because i was really that happy. i hope i get to repeat them soon.
* i dream a lot. sometimes what i dream is soooo close to reality that i have a hard time figuring out what is real and what isn't.
* someone once told me you can never be at a 5 (happiness level-wise). i say "whatevs." you can be a 5 if you want to anytime you want to.
* my addiction to chocolate milk is totally justified by msn.com (the health page) so there...
* standing up for something feels good. standing up for my friends' rights feels even better.
* chilis is awesome
* i don't like tomatoes in my salads but i like them in everything else.
* my nephew calls me tititititi or mom or this. i like it.
* i have text messaging now and i still hate it
* i can never read georgia nicolson enough times.
* the best thing you can do for your friends is to support their dreams. they'll never forget it.

* i did steal this idea from jamie. he is pretty smart that way...

after a really weird day...

nothing makes me feel better than having my dear mutti near me. so happy she is here! please, let it snow for her!

i love when...

you forget about something you really love and then you remember that you love it... like yesterday, when i was putting up my tree, i listened to RENT (original broadway cast, of course). i haven't listened to it in probably a year and i just fell in love with it all over again. god bless jonathan larson. a brilliant, brilliant man who left this earth much too soon.

you find a new snack! honeycomb cereal! and trust me, it takes me a year to eat a box of cereal, but for some reason, all i want is honeycomb cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

the switch comes on... figuratively speaking... like yesterday when fred, my dance instructor, was talking about cross connection in the rumba. it FINALLY clicked and makes rumba sooo much easier.

people are kind to each other. today, i noticed someone on the subway said hello to a random stranger. it was very clear they didn't know each other. it was heartwarming.

the theme song from "how the grinch stole christmas" comes on pandora.

that's all. i also love my life and i love that there are only 7 sleeps left until mom gets here!

my life is average

Today, the guy who sits in front of me fell asleep in class. I drew on the back of his neck and he never woke up. He walked around school for over 4 hours with "follow me to narnia" written across the back of his neck and never even questioned why people kept following him to class. MLIA


Today, I ordered burritos online to pick up at Freeb!rds. I put the order name under 'Voldemort' just for fun. When I got home to eat, I pulled out my burrito and it said 'He who must not be named' on top. I'm still smiling. MLIA


Today, I had to leave school early. My reason wouldn't fit on the signout sheet, so I erased it and put a batman symbol. The secretary signed it as an excusable absence. MLIA


At my school, the teachers are required to write the daily objectives on the board. Today, in math class, I got bored and decided to see what we were supposed to be learning that day. Our objective for the day: "the student will learn how to defeat the Dark Lord." I think I'm the only person who noticed. MLIA.

Today, I walked down the hall only to find my parents huddled over the computer and giggling hysterically. I asked them what was up, and my mom told me, "we're writing complaint letters to places we've never bought anything from, just to see if they'll give us some free stuff." I love my parents. MLIA

Today, I was looking through my Grandmother's iPod. I found out that her top 3 songs are, My Humps, Because I Got High, and The Transformers theme song. I don't know what to say. MLIA

Today, I was fixing my dad's iTunes because he doesn't really know how to use it. I found a song that he titled "more roars". Curious, I clicked on it, and I realized it was a recording of him roaring like a dinosaur. MLIA


why do i love these so?

Scatterbrained. Just like me.

Helloooo one and all. Much has been going on in the little world of me. For one, I am working full-time again as a P.A. to an Upper East Side Family. So far, so good. It's a lot to remember and I'm learning as I go which can be truly frustrating.

Also newsworthy: Sara Bareilles said hi to me. ha. I went to the True Colors Cabaret hosted by Cyndi Lauper. Gav and Sara sang some pretty songs. And then I went backstage to say hello to my many lovelies of Broadway Impact and got busy talking. By the time I got to Sara, all she had time to say was hi.

oooh. Watching this week's episode of Gossip Girl and Aaron Tveit is back as Tripp Vanderbilt. WEIRD. No, No, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm so alive (muscial theater fans will get that).

Anyway...

This past Monday, I sat at BB Kings and realized how insanely jealous I am of anyone who grew up in the 60s. I loved every minute of that benefit concert as I listened to Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and The Rip Cords play iconic songs. SO amazing.

Halloween was spent with a cute boy. Who is four. And Tash and I took him trick or treating. It was definitey the best Halloween in a long time.

This weekend I am going back to DC to really experience all it has to offer.

PS. I have Theatrestory business cards now. te hee.

after 5 years...

i think i may finally understand the rumba. and rumba timing. thank you, fred. you were worth all $110 i paid to have you re-teach me how to do rumba walks.

tash, jeni and i spent the morning shopping in jersey. oh the things we bought... earrings, leggings, tights, headbands, sweaters... just because we could. it's so funny how those things become so enjoyable after you don't do them for a while.

then tonight, i went to jill's mad men themed soiree in midtown. there were fake eye lashes, red lipstick, beehived hair-dos and fake cocktail-like drinks. everyone looked fabulous and i think we all had a pretty good time.

life is quite good. love the new job. love my amazing and inspiring friends. love my sweet family.

that's all.

i need to be up in 4 hours for a quick trip to east hampton. yikes.

bon soir!

i was walking...

with my favorite boy the other day in hell's kitchen and was reminded that chivalry is not dead. not only did he offer me his arm, which is so old fashioned but soooo adorable, but he also made me walk in the inside of the sidewalk. i just think that's adorable. ladies? am i right? :)

recent findings

wishing i could somehow be there again. botanical garden

at the marriott in kauai, hawaii.

sound: a movie turned so low i don't even know why it's on
sound 2: love fell down. i can' even believe someone wrote something so beautiful. the gc is a genius. you tube it.
excitement: t minus 2 days until the national equality march. equal rights and protection for all. all you need is LOVE.
excitement 2: i am excited to make posters! and i am really excited for taylor frey. he made his broadway debut tonight.
hope: a j-o-b in the n-y-c as KLR would say
feeling: frustration about not knowing why things happen the way they do
plan: trip to tx and fl for christmas
smell: scentsy warmer. thanks to aunt kat my apartment smells quite lovely.
read: the devil wears prada
top play on itunes: i turned the corner
snack: chocolate milk. it is always chocolate milk. it makes the world better.
movie: whip it.

the simple things

jeni is my friend and we both appreciate simple things like costco and chilis.

jeni and i took a trip to costco and bought a tray of crossaints, because we could and a pack of 60 christmas gift tags.

yes, CHRISTMAS.

as i told tasha just the other day on our way to the store to get milk "i am so glad it's chilly because it's almost christmas."

i watched conference and feel like my batteries were recharged. church makes me the happiest.

i had a dream that i went to utah. i was really sad when i woke up and realized i was in nyc still.

gav had another show. i love his music. it speaks everything i want to say in life. when in doubt, listen to it and you will know exaclty how i feel. robbie is genius and special guest sasha allen blows people's minds with her awesome voice. yikes. i wish i could sing 1/20th as well as she can.

i finally balanced my checkbook and i feel so productive.

i ran out of space in my ticket stub holding book. karene, i think it's time for another one. :)