Charlie Brown

As I avoid homework a little bit more, I sit here listening to the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack provided by Daniel Lawrence who is a total jazz nut and thus in love with the soundtrack. Last Christmas Dan and I discovered our mutual love of A Charlie Brown Christmas and we watched it during finals week on my roommates laptop thanks to youtube.com. However, this year, Dan and I are moving up in the world and he recently purchased the Charlie Brown holiday set. Now we've watched the Great Pumpkin and this weekend A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and I must admit, I fell asleep during both of them. Not that they're horrible but... they are not A Charlie Brown Christmas. 

I love this movie because it reminds me of my daddio who does an excellent Snoopy drawing (which he used to draw on our napkins for our lunch boxes along with a little love note, yeah my parents kick your parents trash like that) and who also loves this movie. Each Christmas we'd watch it and I would love it. Just like mini chocolate covered doughnuts, A Charlie Brown Christmas will always remind me of my daddio and get me truly in the holiday spirit : ) 

When a cold wind blows, it chills you, chills you to the bone...

Some may ask... "Maddie how is New York treating you?" Other's in the know may ask... "How's that wind treating you?" Well my friends I found myself at a complete loss for words as to how bitter and bone chilling the zephyrs of New York are as I hiked to my beloved Trader Joe's and Sweet Julie Mack's apartment. Even with all of this (see below) I was still freezing, mostly because my face was exposed. These winds.... they're gonna be the death of me!

And braids are my new favorite hair style. They keep everything so nice and neat and they are so in right now : ) Just check America's Next Top Model to be sure! 

James and Kohl's, my fave's

Guess what I saw this weekend?

That's right, my lovely James. He was a dashingly handsome as ever, however, the film on a whole was somewhat lacking of the typical James Bond charm and charisma. It was much more akin to the Bourne series rather than my boyishly charming classic James. 

Now...

Guess where I went this weekend?

My happiest place on earth : ) Where I purchase a cute pair of dark jeans, a new black skirt (can you have too many?) and a cute black top with a V-neck (the most flattering neck on any body). That was a nice highlight. Dan and I spent quite a lot of time there. It made me happy. and I enjoy the fact that Dan enjoys shopping fairly well and will beckon me over to ask my opinion on every single thing. It's really quite adorable : )

We also went to his stake conference on Sunday which was really nice. There was a great talk on families and on marriage which I think was poignant to both of us. Always nice to have a reminder of what we're waiting/working towards and what the rewards will be once we get there. Eternity together with our family? Yes please!

Subway Adventures

Tonight I rode home the D-train. As usual it was not crowded (it never is which is super nice) so I plop myself down. Somewhere around 161st St. (I get off at 125th) I notice the man next to me is watching something on his phone. He's hunched over, holding the phone out for the world to see.

What is it I see?

A bum bouncing around.... is that a naked bum?

humm that's kinda wierd...

I go back to reading my book.

glance over again....cause well naked bum! you'd look again too!

Something really inappropriate is going on, on that screen that's what's going on!!!!

Needless to say, my eyes grew wide and I quickly lifted up my book to a strategic blocking position. 

Subway rides... you never know what you'll see!

I update this waaay too often...

What happens the day after an epic all-nighter? 

                    It's 4 o'clock, and I have yet to leave my apartment

I went to bed at 10:30 pm and slept until 10 am

                   I have done nothing school related all day. Watched online TV? yes. Read my current book? yes. Surfed the internet? oh yeah. Eaten chocolate? of course. 

Am I thankful for sleep and the opportunities it affords my body to recupe from the day before and give me energy. YES!

Have I learned my lesson?

                                                                     I certainly hope so. I know Dan was working on a project last night as a result of my episode. At least                                                                                                                                                                            someone learned!

Winter Preparedness

Hunter Wellington rainboots
newest coat obsession--I love the tulip sleeves!
Warm cashmere sweaters
Looooooong down filled coat to protect me from that New York wind! yikes-a-bee!
Classic pair of Uggs

Presently I am trying to not fall asleep during my most boring class (it doesn't help that I didn't get home from the library until 4:45 am and then got up at 7:30am, hate my procrastination skills). So I thought I would post about my dreams for preparing for winter in New York. 

Already I have experienced the rain, hence a strong desire for some classic Hunter Wellingtons (wouldn't hurt if I looked good in a pair of skinny jeans which would more easily fit into a pair of boots, but we can't have everything now can we : ). 

Next, I love coats. I think it comes from growing up in a state where I really didn't own/wear a real coat during the winter. I wore jackets and just kinda ran from the car to the building if it was really cold. And this coat is particularly cute and feminine and I love those sleeves! 

Then I think I should build up my collection of cashmere and sweaters in general. I looked through my closet and I really don't have any! 

BIG PUFFY COAT!!!! It is so WINDY here!!! It got cold in UT, don't get me wrong, I've gotten used to cold and snow (kinda) but this wind. sheesh! In my experience down filled coats are the best for keepin a body warm.

Uggs. I have always thought they were ridiculous and all of the "richy" girls had them. But I've been told that you want to have the warmest boots possible to walk around here and Uggs I've seen and have been told are the best bet. 

So if you've read through my wish list... thanks? More interesting posts later I'm sure : ) 

Procrastination

Pro-cras-ti-nate [proh-kras-tuh-neyt]

verb, -nat-ed, -nat-ing.

1. to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

2. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

let's hope I learn my lesson before finals... or else I may die from lack of sleep. 

and all that jazz...

Okay so my pictures keep downloading backwards... so here it is...backwards

Midnight milkshakes at the diner, a perfect end to the night : ) 
oh us...
one of the few shots I got of the Lincoln Center Jazz concert hall before I was told that pictures aren't allowed. It's really neat, we got box seats on the balcony with nobody in front of us at all! it was awesome : )
the tickets

So Saturday night Dan and I got to go to a jazz concert at Lincoln Center a la Dan's high school friend's dad. The theme (?) for the night was nursery songs. So they jazzed up Pop Goes the Weasel, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mahna Mahna (from Sesame Street--awesome!!!) It was a lot of fun. I love how there is so much cultural stuff to do here!!! : ) 

Ho hum

The Sheep Meadow in Central Park
Dan the man
The practice rink in Central Park
Columbia's College Walk

Life this week has been uneventful. I have been rather grumpy and Dan has been super stressed starting his new job. However, one of the best things about Dan my man is that even when I'm grumpy and mean and he's Stressy McStresserson (yeah say that 5 times fast!) He still loves me and tries his darndest to make me blissfully happy, even when I try and cut him off at the knees. One night (when I essentially refused to talk to him for no real reason, I'm so annoying) we walked through Central Park and it was nice outside hence pictures, and the last picture is just to rub in your face how much more awesome my school is than your school ; ) 

and yes, I am being nice to Dan again,

 don't worry, 

he wouldn't have proposed 

if he couldn't handle this bid-niz!

GRADU-FREAKIN-ATION!!!!

ATTENTION!!!!

I emailed my person at Columbia regarding graduation and here's the response I got:

Everything will take place on the 20th (of May).

There is a main campus ceremony in the morning from 10am-noon on College Walk and then the SW ceremony will take place at 2 pm at the Beacon Theatre.

So family! There is the all important date. Have at it. Do what you will. I will be here before and after. Now talk amongst yourselves...

oh life

I think this picture adequately displays my most frequent emotions in life presently. 

(starting at top left reading like a book)

1. YAY! life is pretty stinkin' awesome. I'm engaged to an amazing man, I have the smarts to get into an Ivy League school and do well (hopefully), I have great friends, I love the kids I work with and I'm freakin livin in NEW YORK! Suckas!

2. I really don't understand. I'm supposed to be able to do what?

3. I have to plan a wedding from across the country and get good grades in my ridiculously expensive Ivy League school and deal with stupid foster parents at my internship? WHAT!?

4. I hope this all works out okay...

PS. Dan totally got a job! Yipee! Upside: Dan has a job, and we have security of him being in his mostly paid for grad school program. Downside: it's in Jamaica, Queens=no seeing Dan ever!

PPS. or is it PSS... I am totally learning how to put meals together. Thanks to Trader Joe's and their amazing packages of food perfect for 2 people. Tender times of marital bliss are approaching, I'd better learn how to do something! Next on the menu: Orange Chicken, couscous, peaches, and possibly cooked veggies? (I'll work on the making them healthy part after I've accomplished the just making a freakin meal part)

My Office

The wall on the right as you walk in...
Straight view as you walk in... awesome view of the Bronx : ) 
My bookshelf with hardly any toys (I am a poor college student!) but do have some awesome books!
My desk and computer area
From the window looking at the door.

So there's my little office space I spend 21 hours a week in. Some day when my kids actually show up for their appointments it will be full of play and wonderful therapy.