everything is amazing and no one is happy.

last weekend i had to give a chat to some teens about greed (one of the seven deadly sins). being the ex-advertising/marketing guru i once was, i was so happy to do this talk. discuss how the media unconsciously tells us what items we need to wear and what we need to do to fit into society's molds of us.
for those of you who know me, i barely buy into the media. for starters, i know the tricks. i maybe a hypocrite by working in the field, but i now know how to make people want things, without even realizing they want it. by knowing this trick, i stop myself from buying in. yes, i do have guilty pleasures (versace, betsey johnson, m.kors & kiehl's are just some of my "must-have's in life). but for the most part, i dont buy into what that commerical tells me to buy. i stop myself.
i know that the best posession in life is not going to be my $300 sunglasses, but rather, my 90 year old grandfather. my best friend for 24 years. my aunts. my cousin's babies. my kitty. you. professors who have changed my life. books. hand-written letters. those simple things that everyone takes for granted. the things that you forget about because you're too self-absorbed in your iPhone.

i came across this conan clip and felt compelled to share. i wish i had this precious jem whilst doing my talk last weekend:


i think our generation and younger generations are just a pitfall. i am lucky to have been raised by my grandparents where i get it. i know the hardships they went through in life, so i know to practice my patience and look back on what life once was. but kids - they dont know this. they come from parents who sleep with their blackberries, go to their sports events/award ceremonies and never get off their blackberries, and parents who want everything right then and there. what example does this set for kids today? they are spoiled rotten brats. have you ever gone shopping and seen a crazy child throw a tantrum because they werent allowed to get that $100 toy? it's absolutely crazy! i am so nervous for when my generation begins popping kids, or more nervous for when the "tweens" start having kids. they come from a day & age where they are born with cell phones basically attached to their ear as they exit the womb and there is no escaping it. you know how a genie can come and grant everyone a wish? normally everyone days "one million dollars!". me? i just want everyone to stop. for a few minutes. look around you - and love what you have. stop wanting, and take what you have - make the most of it - and be happy.

i love this:

There were a lot of reasons you chose to come to earth, Marvelous Melissa, and I am super happy to tell you that not one of them was to master being poor, lonely, or sick. Incidentally, neither did you have any intention of living your life without a beautiful personality.

Clutch!

tut.com offers such insightful and lovely messages from the universe on a daily basis. i suggest you all put in your cute little emails, and let the universe in. (many thanks to shea for getting me involved with tut.com last fall - after i poked fun at her for 'getting emails from the universe').

in other news. rather, exciting news. my traveling guru friend, mary, who is currently in australia, got ENGAGED over the bast few weeks. overseas! with her soulmate. i am so happy and cannot send them enough good and happy wishes. love is in the air!

today is my mom's 53rd birthday. and she celebrates it in heaven.

"Be at Peace," by Saint Francis de Sales

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise,

God will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His Arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same understanding Father Who cares for you today

will take care of you tomorrow and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you the unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

it's nothing but more frustrating and difficult to live without a mother with each passing year. i have so many questions. so many worries. and so many things about me, that i would like to know where they come from. i know, that where i am today, is because of her beautiful angelic presence she carries with me. watching me. guarding me. guiding me. i just wish it was different, and wish she could physically be here. i want to drink tea with her and craft. i want to go to flea markets and take weekend trips to go antiquing. i want to learn how to be a good mother and what i means to be a good wife. i want to hear her stories, look at her photos, and know she lived a good life. i just want her. back. it's really, not fair, at all. and i hate to be stubborn, but i really do not think it's fair that life dealt me this deck of cards. but i deal. i breathe. i move on. i stay at peace.

but inside, i hurt.

can someone please please please tell me what happened to ryan adams & the cardinals blog?!

what! is! that!

what a happy day

i found this new thai resturant that i feel needs a lot of mention. it is called wave thai, located on 31st st in good ole astoria. it's a hidden treasure. a real treat. open late on sundays which can be somewhat rare. dim, rare lighting and hands down - the most delicious thai i have eaten. ever.

i went with bec last night, and we were happy. our plates were clean to the core. every last bite was devoured. despite the delicious food, the entrees had such great names. for example, i had the "street noodles" which is just a, well, fabulous name. becca however had the traditional pad thai. other interesting names were 'peanut princess' and 'healthy ginger'. names from the heart. for the tummy.

my new neighborhood is blossoming with so many ethnic places calling my name. greek (which was hit up on saturday evening), thai, japanese, american, chinese, southwest, indian. you name it, it's within walking distance to me. my tastebuds are already very pleased with my decisions thus far. i hope to keep them happy.

weekend updates

i like having weekends that are busy-bee like until the spring. winter is a drag, especially this winter. always so chilly and the wind doesnt help. i swear, i feel as though it is always ten degrees cooler in the city then back on peaceful long island.

i had my first "mini house warming" last night and it was beautiful. three of my favourites and a bottle of yellowtail and taco dip. a warm home and with smiling faces. tonight eric will be arriving with yet another bottle of wine, and we will explore the neighborhood, eat at a new resturant and play catch up.

next weekend i leave new york (finally!) for a nice ski weekend in pennsylvania. just in time for the weekend of love and conversation hearts. my favourite. ALSO! if anyone is in town, i urge you to check out a dear friend of mine, as he is playing rockwood, 5 pm on valentines day eve. romantic, in a very eerie, strange way. but he is a delight with a chunk of gorgeous new music that moves my heart.

the following weekend, a very much needed and exciting retreat with my teens. i have been working with this youth group for two and a half years, and it's sad to think this will be my last retreat with them. retreats were always something i looked so forward to when i was a teen, and to be able to do them as a young woman is just, well, lucky. i get so much out of it for myself as the teens get out of it for them. it's going to be a very difficult goodbye, both for my personally, and for the teens. they have impacted me, made me realize what i want to do with my life (well, in a way) and have never failed to make my smile. my favourite batch of teens has already entered college, and it's so wonderful to really watch them grow. to remember them during their awkward stage and to see them now in college. it's crazy. getting older, freakin crazy.

then, upon returning from retreat, that sunday, i get to see only my favourite, ryan adams and the cardinals in jersey. sigh.

what seems like is forever away, i scored tickets back in october for west side story, on broadway (!!!!!!!). it's the first weekend of previews, and i always heart previews so much more, less hype, more real, more excitement. i got tickets for teresa for her 26th birthday, so i have been counting down for months. literally.

holy heavens