Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


Now that we're all a bit older and a tad wiser,
some of my besties from college and I decided to pool our pennies
and have a nice dinner together to ring in the new year ...
I'm counting down the seconds until they arrive!
The apartment and I are ready to host :)

Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year!
Have TONS of fun tonight, be safe,
and may 2010 be our best year yet :)
X to the Os,
Stace

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

To Each Thier Own


At the end of every year I get totally captured in thought.
To say "pensive" would be an understatement.

365 days, 52 weeks, 12 months ...
No matter how ya cut the cookie, its somehow past.
And be it good or bad, it's there to learn from.
To me, that's what a New Year is all about!

So I make a habit to do this every December ...
To sit down for a little one (wo)man chi-chat,
to have a little heart-ta-heart
about where the last year went,
and where the next one's going.

And no matter how much I've accomplished,
it just never feels like enough ...


Kinda like when you meet a guy, everyone immediately wants to know if he's "the one".
And when you move in together, your mom wants you to be engaged, like
yesterday.
Then when you get the ring, everyone wants to know the date.
And when you tie the knot,
and get yet another ring, everyone wants to know when to expect a babe.
Then, when you officially find out your preggers, everyone not-do-secretly hopes you have
twins
.
So really, it's never enough; and the "what's next" always seems to win interest over the present ...

So this year I'm taking a new approach! This year I intend to be thankful for just how much there really was!

SO much life :)
SO much love :)
SO much laughter :)


So over the course of the next 31 days I'm going to post about the good things. Not because there wasn't bad (because there was) and not because I'm trying to paint a picture that my life (or that life in general) is all sunshine and rainbows (because it's not) but because there is so much negativity out there already and I'm not about to add to it. I know this blog tends to air on the side of peaches and candy, but I believe happiness should be shared; so that's my plan and I'm stickin to it :)

Cheers to 2010!
But before we venture into what lies ahead,
I'd like to take some time to cheer upon the past ...

Monday, December 28, 2009

Thank YOU for reading :)


All week long I've been torn about what to post today;
for today, if you can believe it, is my 600th blog entry!

The thing is, I've never really stuck with anything this long in my life. I mean come on now, 600?? Eeeeeeeesh!!

So on the plane ride back to NYC I jotted down a about a gazillion ideas using "600" as the core theme ... but basically it was just a bunch a' boring shit that wasn't quite cuttin' it.
So I browsed back to the very first post to read what it was that got me into this mess ;) Hahaha. I vividly remembered the moment when Mr. Zippidy Do Da began -- I wanted to be able to share my adventures with friends and family so that the distance from home didn't feel so far.

Sitting on the plane I reflected on so many things but still the idea for the infamous 600th post did not strike. After landing safely at LaGuardia, I hopped a taxi back to my apartment where I was gratefully greeted by oodles of Holiday cards that each made me smile from ear to ear :)

When I took a step back to stare at all this cheerful fabulousness, the "lightbulb idea" finally came. Ya see, the truth of the matter is, I started this blozzoggle to share this ride with you, and I know for a fact that the only thing that's kept me writing is knowing that you're out there -- because at the end of the day, it somehow makes the distance seem a bit less and in a strange way, it makes me feel like you're always on this adventure right here with me :)

So for my 600th post I just wanted to say THANKS!
Thank you for encouraging,
Thank you for laughing,
and most of all, thank you for reading :)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Priceless


We gave
Griffin a creature-sleeper for Christmas
Talk about "the reason for the season" :)
What an angel!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Rockette's Christmas Spectacular :)


Last night I went with several of my girlfriends
to see the
Rockette's perform at...

and please allow me to state for the record
that the show
absolutely lived up to it's name ...
it was
SPECTACULAR!!

I adored every single second and would
highly recommend seeing this at Christmas time :)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Let It Snow!


Reason # 3,254,912 ...
that I should refrain from interior design ;)

Friday, December 11, 2009

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas :)


Last night Alyssa & I lit the tree,

made hot chocolate,
and rented:

Although seemingly idyllic,
this is something I know I should not do.
Nope, nope, nope.
This little dreamer should not rent movies as such
because my pee-brain begins to actually believe
it's possible to someday have this:
and this:
oh yes, and this:
(Yes. Please. Thank You)

I forget,
how many wishes does one get for Christmas??? ;)

HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

My Life, The Carbohydrate ...


As if it wasn't enough to live a stone's throw from
the
Clinton Street Baking Co.,

Donnybrook
recently added a full Irish menu ...

a store that only serves
stuffed cannolis
just popped up directly at the corner,

and tonight I stumbled upon
Sigmund's homemade pretzel shop
(
now open!)

It's official ...
Jenny Craig just trumped my mom on speed dial ;)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Letter to the “No” York Senators :(


This morning I mailed 38 letters such as this -- one to each New York Senator who voted "no" to marriage equality yesterday. Although I've tried to avoid using my blog as a soap box, I hope by sharing this post it may help inspire change in a time when needed most.

To find the contact information for your local leaders, please visit:
freedomspeaks.com

********

Stacey Marie Hall
New York, NY 10002

Attn: Senator Shirley Huntley
116-43 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434

12/3/2009


Dear Senator Huntley,

I write you with both heavy hands and heart in response to your decision to vote “NO” to marriage equality.

As a woman who has attended twelve weddings and one domestic partnership ceremony this past year, I may not hold the title of “wife” to anyone - but I most definitely have an opinion (or
ten) on the topic. In the past 365 days I’ve borne witness to 24 heterosexuals in the glorious act of “I Do” while my homosexual friends could only go so far as adding one another to their Health Care benefits; for that is the closest they could come to marriage. It’s a shame. I’m ashamed; and as a “Democratic” Senator who selfishly stripped Gays of the right to marry within the state of New York, you should be too.

My sexual preference is neither here nor there on this matter, for I strongly believe this
is not about politics but rather about the human heart. I believe Love should not answer to church or state, be black or white, or cater to rich or poor. It is unconditional.

Or,
is this no longer the case?

As we’ve so invasively learned from the economic crisis, there’s apparently a “Bailout Bill” for ignorance, yet the golden parachute for intolerance is seemingly somewhere over the rainbow. Under the auspices of love, I beg the question, why do you care to deny others a right that you so fortunately have been granted? To paraphrase the ingenious words of Keith Olbermann, I must ask … “What is it, to you?”

At a mere 28 years old, I already have a handful of friends whose marriages have unfortunately failed. But at least they had the chance to try. Yes, my “what’s next?” generation has been coined as dangerously precocious, coddled, fawned-over, and apathetic. However, we Millennials are overtly in the “now” and hyper aware of what we’re entitled to. We are socially, ethnically, and sexually diverse. A generation that I can so proudly say was an indelible force behind electing the first black President of the United States of America. Yes, there was a time when I admittedly was afraid for my generation, which will soon step into the landmines of our political future. But after days like yesterday, after I listen, watch, and digest decisions such as yours, I am hopeful and anxious for my peers to progress, govern, and embrace this great nation with a whole heart and an open mind.

Shirley, as our Senate representative of Queens, I question once more, “What’s it to you?”

As it’s now 8am, I plan to press print, mail these 38 letters, and head to work to do my job. In turn, I can only ask that you do the same. As an elected official, I ask that you responsibly and respectfully represent the voices of the 2.3 million people within your borough. I ask that you please do your job. Not because it’s your civic duty, but because you care.

Signed with sincerity,

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I Love My Crazy Ass Family :)


A foreshadow to Christmas chaos ...

Please review Exhibit "A" (as in awesomeness)

My cousin Becky just sent a chart of "who's bringing what" thus far:

Needless to say,
I CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK HOME FOR THE HALL-IDAYS!

Damaris Land


I've been meaning to blog about a lot of things lately
but life keeps getting in the way!
Bust

One person in particular, who I've been meaning to
boast-and-brag about, is my insanely talented friend, Damaris.

As a performance artist here in NYC, she has quickly made a name for herself, and I have had the absolute pleasure and true fortune to support her art in action.

Feel free to revel in all of her fabulousness at:
Damarisland.com

Here are pix from the last two shows ... Enjoy! I sure did :)

Something to Live By :)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Do You See What I See?!


Even in the odd expressions of the East Village,
Christmas is in the air :)

Thoughts on my 10 yr High School Reunion


I'm gonna have to go ahead and delay this post ...
Still trying to digest it all. I mean, for real,
WHERE THE HELL DID TEN YEARS GO?!?!?

But what I will say is that it was really awesome to see everyone and talk to peeps I literally hadn't seen in a freaking decade!
It was wonderful to see everyone doing so well :)
Wonderful to see where everyone's "plan" has taken them

And what I will also say is that,
on the topic of being proud,
I feel
incredibly lucky
that I still have such close friends from home.
Friends I hold the utmost respect for and value beyond belief!

To friends old and new,
it was SO great to see you :)

Proud Sister = Me :)


This year we spent the Thanksgiving holiday at
my brother's new condo in Milwaukee.
Yep, yep, yep -- I'm super proud to say
that my brother is officially a homeowner!
Yahooooooooo :)



Although he may not (ever) have it all together (hahaha)
we had a great time making dinner at his place
aaaaaaaaaaand then eating off of paper plates ;)



To Stephen & Kendra --
Thanks again for hosting!
Xoxo