Thanksgiving '13

Twenty-thirteen is ending. How do I feel? It's 30°F outside and I'm in my room on a cold Saturday afternoon listening to Midlake. They came back with a new album last month and I saw them play at Mercury Lounge. Have been revisiting their "The Trials of Van Occupanther" album. A lot of great records came out around that time.

What I am thankful of.

1. For the golden memories in Taiwan. I got to spend Chinese New Year overseas with my family in Taichung and Taipei. I haven't been back since I was really young so the whole visit was surreal. My grandfather passed away almost 15 years ago but his home office is untouched. I took some of his business cards and dug into his drawers for 40-year old picture albums. I found a lot of photo gems that no-one in the family has seen in decades. I also took a box of clothes that my mom left in the closet before she married my dad. My favorite is a light-blue 70's dress with a white lacy collar and a pin in the shape of a ship's wheel. I visited my maternal grandparents and cried hysterically when I saw them. It was an emotional vacation.

2. Meeting Dennis and Cindy Sze. They are a married couple who both share a passion in creativity and helping others. Helping Dennis out with his company coincidentally united me with a long lost friend! I used to play with Eunice when she visited her aunt, who was a tenant in our house. It's been about 18 years and our friendship hasn't changed.

3. Weill Cornell/ Presbyterian Hospital, now a major part of my life.

4. For Todd Rundgren's "Something/Anything" album that never fails whenever I am a wreck.

5. Friends and family for their constant love and support during troubling times. For the well-wishes, the care-packages, visits,  letters, and texts between hospital visits and chemotherapy. Laughter is truly the best medicine even when it hurts to crack up.

6. The "If We Were Dads" Film Club that I host with Marilla. We just celebrated our one-year anniversary this month! I'm always looking forward to a relaxing night in with friends who also share a love for movies.

7. Sarah! I randomly met her at a Crohn's and Colitis charity event and then my Summer of Sarah began. She was in New York on a grant working towards her PhD in geography. It's ridiculous how we have so much in common, specifically our love for Kate Bush and My Brightest Diamond!

8. Belle visiting me from Amsterdam/ Guillaume and Raed visiting from Montreal.

9. My favorite moment of the year- Enjoying "Beast of the Southern Wild" in Prospect Park with a live orchestra. I was already nostalgic before the night even began because of the company I was with. They all returned home shortly after (Switzerland, Italy, Montreal and Ottawa) but I'm glad to have spent that evening with magical people.

10. Quiet music venues.

11. For our mayor-elect, Bill deBlasio. Peace, Bloomberg.

12. Country getaways to retreat and appreciate nature.

13. HEALTH INSURANCE  for which I've always taken granted! This is the most massive I've dealt with hospital bills. Would have costed an arm, a leg, and a boob. 

Worn Out

This week I turned off all notifications to shut my phone up and went to bed at 9:30 every night.

Tonight was spent at home alone organizing paperwork, designing a bit, and watching Bob's Burgers until 2am. Wild night.

Post Chemo Remedies

one Beast of the Southern Wild soundtrack
two with a good set of headphones
three oh yes and Percocet

Mama Lourdes

(Heartfelt letter I received from my best friend's mom.)

Hi Jeanie,

Rachael has been keeping me up on Petunia. We decided you should consider how to smother her with love. Envision sending her off on a one-way trip.

We, (Rachael, of course) Maria, self and friends are praying for the very best outcome. Keep up with healthy eating and happy thoughts. I'll be expecting that by the time Rachael + Adam are settled and the bells are ringing, they'll be ringing a celebration song to you. We love you.

God bless you and give you strength. Your angel is at your side.

Petunia

A tumor was discovered in my neck a few months ago. Adam named it Petunia. The evil fairy constantly waters her because she keeps growing. A surgery has been scheduled but in the meantime, I will shop and listen to good music to feel better. Specifically Beck's new song, I Won't Be Long.

Shoesies I just bought from Bass:

















Currently listening to:

5:15 Train

Currently listening to: A Sunny Day in Glasgow
Mood: Pensive, good, and a tinge spiritual, I guess.

The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

Retro Housewife Bridal Shower

My childhood best friend, Jenny, is getting married very soon! Last week was her bridal shower, which turned out really well. We decided to merge Jenny's soon-to-be status with her love of Mad Men and turned it into a Retro Housewife party!

Gifts and Prizes

Whisked Away! Whisks and homemade wedding dress cookies

Cupcakes made by scratch by Supermom Stacy (Thanks Stef!)

We had The Good Wife Guide: 19 Rules for Keeping a Happy Husband. The original issue came out in the Housekeeping Monthly on 5/13/1955. We played the bowl game (think charades and taboo) surrounding those rules. We also played the Toilet Paper Wedding Dress! Prizes included knitting doll-tools, Little Box of Jacks, Slinkie, kitchen utensils, cute mini notebooks and sweets. 

Toilet Paper Models and the Bride

Top of Tops: 2012

Most listened albums of 2012 are Rufus Wainwright's Out of the Game, Bobby Womack's The Bravest Man in the Universe, Laura Gibson's La Grande and Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw. See below for my favorite songs of the year. =)



1. Nick Waterhouse- I Can Give You Everything
2. Grimes- Oblivion
3. The Tallest Man on Earth- Wind and Walls
4. Rufus Wainwright- Montauk
5. Bobby Womack- Please Forgive My Heart
6. Laura Gibson- Milk-Heavy, Pollen-Eyed
7. Fiona Apple- Hot Knife
8. Langhorne Slim- Wild Soul
9. Grizzly Bear- A Simple Answer
10. Frank Ocean- Lost
11. Hurray for the Riff Raff- Look Out Mama
12. Real Estate- Easy
13. Wolf Larsen- If I Be Wrong
14. Shearwater- Animal Life
15. Lawrence Arabia- The Bisexual

Previous lists for 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
Happy new year! Hope to blog more. And learn how to swing dance.

Grace on Broadway

Tonight's date!

L to R: Kate Arrington, Michael Shannon, Ed Asner, Paul Rudd