Reunited and it feels so good

What a crazy/wonderful couple of weeks it has been! God has brought me back to the city I love, blessed me with a nice apartment in a safe area and a good job that will allow me to pay all of my bills on time (novel concept, right? Ha.) Thankfully, little Sonny was a very brave and good kitty on the flight and is adjusting well to his new digs. He attacked me the other night, so I know he is feeling comfortable. Even though there are still a few obstacles to overcome in this super fast transition (like, um, where in the heck is my furniture... apparently completely MIA, as the movers seem to have no answers concerning its whereabouts which is becoming a bit disconcerting as the days go by, although I figure they will have to eventually show up with it if they want to be paid), I am feeling happy. But really, how could I be too sad with Mister Softee and unlimited high-quality cupcake access permanently back in my life again??? Not to mention, on a more serious note, a lot of great people whom I love. I miss my family so much, but knowing a direct flight to Kentucky is less than two hours is comforting. On this Tuesday evening, I am feeling grateful for this new adventure. NYC - Act II!

Wildcats rock NBA Draft

I am proud to be a Wildcats fan tonight. I loved this year's team. Even though they didn't go all the way in the NCAA Tournament, they were some of the most talented and entertaining players Rupp Arena has ever seen. John Wall, who is headed to the Washington Wizards, is the first Kentucky player in history to be selected as #1 overall. Awesome! DeMarcus Cousins (aka "Big Cuz") checked in at #5 for the Sacramento Kings. And Patrick Patterson took the 14th spot with the Houston Rockets. Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton were also in the mix at #18 and #29, respectively. Not bad. I'm gonna miss these guys. They reminded me and many other fans why UK is still the greatest. But I am comforted to know that they are gonna be just fine...you know, making their millions and all : )

C-A-T-S! Cats! Cats! Cats!

Elvis Mr. Potato Head coming soon to a toy store near you

This is awesome. Well, if you love Elvis as much as I do anyway. But it's kind of awesome even if you are relatively indifferent to the indisputable greatness of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The August release of this treasure coincides nicely with the annual Elvis Week. So exciting!

June=National Candy Month=excuse to eat lots of candy

It is no secret that I like candy. No, I love candy. I love it so much. And I know many other people do, too. I cannot remember the last day I didn’t eat candy. And I hope to continue eating it every day for the rest of my life. Even though I am a very picky eater and there are very few foods that I will even consider eating, I love almost all kinds of candy, with the exception of black licorice. My favorite candy is plain M&Ms. I’m so glad that candy was invented and that new varieties continue to hit the shelves. I think I will slightly increase my candy consumption this month so as to honor the existence of candy properly and I encourage everyone else to do so, as well. And you don’t have to feel guilty ‘cause how else would you celebrate?

Donate food to shelter animals...with a simple click of your mouse!

Hola, readers. I would like to direct everyone’s attention to the following Web sites (or just click on the cute icons I have posted in the sidebar of this page).

http://www.freekibblekat.com/default.asp

http://www.freekibble.com/default.asp

Each day, you can visit them, answer a trivia question about dogs and cats and regardless of whether you get the answer right or wrong, 10 pieces of kibble will be donated to animal shelters across the country to feed all the sweet doggies and kitties awaiting a permanent home. Such an easy way to make a contribution to a great cause!

Tackling the Tuesdays

In the midst of an irritating and seemingly futile day yesterday, I decided to make good on my vow to combat my crippling case of the Tuesdays by engaging in some higher thinking. So I made a “Top 25” list of the things in my life for which I am most thankful. I was surprised how easily it came to me (it took less than two minutes to type out!) I really think there might be some truth to the notion that having an “attitude of gratitude” can improve your whole outlook and mood. After compiling the following list, I instantly felt less angry and more positive about both my own life and life in general, despite the fact that it was a Tuesday. I should do this type of thing more often, and I want to encourage everyone else to try it, too. Doing simple exercises like this can really help us to remember all the good we have going on!

1. Jesus
2. My family
3. My friends
4. My health
5. Southland Christian Church/Times Square Church (it’s a tie)
6. My sweet Sonny
7. Cupcakes
8. Chemical hair straightening for white people
9. My Chi flat iron
10. Steve Madden
11. Cracker Barrel
12. Mister Softee
13. Manicures
14. Pedicures
15. Massages
16. Chanel mascara
17. Hello Kitty
18. Philosophy lip gloss
19. Sephora
20. The Office
21. Fried balls of dough (a.k.a. zeppoles)
22. OPI nail polish
23. Chocolate in all its various forms
24. Diet Dr. Pepper
25. Argyle in all its various forms

Empire state of mind

We Love New York ... in the Movies

I came across this video tribute to NYC on AOL today and it got me to thinking about my own Big Apple experience. The good, the bad and the ugly, ha ha. I don’t think I will ever be able to fully express through words the depth of my love affair with the city, nor the way it makes me feel inside. But the word magical comes to mind pretty quickly. I put my heart and soul into making a Manhattan move a reality back in the summer of '06, and I will never forget getting that phone call telling me I had landed the job and, even more importantly, the phone call from my broker telling me we had successfully secured the teeny tiny, but oh-so-cute studio apartment on E. 54th St. I felt like I was living in a dream. And despite the many missteps and bumps in the road (not to mention some severe financial hard living) that would ensue over the course of the next 2½+ years, I never, ever lost my deep love and appreciation for what I still consider to be the greatest city in the world.

I think what I love most about New York is the inherent sense of possibility that accompanies each new day. I never knew what I would see, who I would meet or where I might end up. The world had never felt so wide open to me. Thankfully, that sense of wonder and excitement never waned. Each person I met and each experience I had played such an important and specific role in shaping me into who I am today, and I will be forever grateful for every moment I had the privilege of being part of the fabric of such an amazing place. It was definitely a life-defining period of time for me unlike any other, and I thank the Lord for it. Perhaps the essence of the NYC philosophy that I still carry in my heart was best summed up by the owner of a laundromat near my first apartment. During my first week in the city, I had gone into his business to inquire if I would be able to do my own laundry there or if it was strictly a dropoff service.

Me, with my unmistakable southern accent and wide eyes: “Hi...excuse me, sir. Is it possible for me to do my laundry here?”

The old Chinese man smiled knowingly, spread his hands out wide and exclaimed: “Miss, this New York. You can do aaaaaaanything you want!"

So true. I heart you, NY. You will always be one of the great loves of my life!