Thank You.

I am thankful. I would like to think that I am thankful everyday. But the truth is, most of the time, I just don't think about things to be thankful for. I know that I am lucky in so many ways. It is hard to imagine being in a place other than this at the moment. Being at home is the safest feeling I know. So I guess I am thankful for that feeling. I take my safety for granted. We live in a world where terrible things happen to those who innocently cross the street, go to dinner, go to the movies. And they did nothing wrong. I tell myself to remain optimistic and look past all of the violence and hatred. Today I am going to eat a huge portion of turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and remember that life is good. No... life is great.

it has been awhile

Wow. One whole week has gone by and I haven't found anything to say. Everyone reading this blog is probably going through various stages of a nervous breakdown a la Britney Spears. Do not fear though. This girl is back and ready to blog. Either that or she has nothing better to do on a Friday afternoon. Twilight came out today and I am very excited to see it. However, I have a dilemma. My little sister is going with her friends tonight. As much as I love hanging out with her I feel a little old and obtrusive when I am around her friends so I think that I will let her do her own thing. This leave me in quite the predicament. Who will go with me to see Twilight? If I were back in New York this would not be a problem. I would go with Johanna and Jenny. But this isn't New York and I have to find someone who truly wants to go. It is NO fun going to a movie with someone who is not just as excited as you are to go. They just bring the anticipation down. They bring the experience down. And Twilight is just one of those experiences that you do not mess with.

I really miss Blakey. In case you do not know, Blakey is one of my oldest and closest friends. I can't really talk to her because she is in Samoa right now. Even though we normally don't see each other (she went to school in Montreal, I went to NYU) we call one another and make sure that our lives are going somewhat according to plan. It is hard being back at home and not having the people you grew up with here. It makes home seem a little odd. But I do like this heated floor. My parents are smart people. They know that the worst feeling in winter is to walk on a cold cold floor.

More Adventurous

I have strong feelings for Rilo Kiley. Have you ever listened to a song and felt like it was written for you and only you? That is how I feel about practically every song of Rilo Kiley's. As of now I have been listening to the track "More Adventurous" from their album named...More Adventurous. It's simple and beautiful and lyrical. Basically all of the things that I have ever wanted to be in my lifetime. If you do not already know of Rilo Kiley I urge you to listen. And listen. Because their melodies and words fit together so well.

homecoming

Minnesota is a quiet place. I find myself turning on the radio when I am at home alone. I don't want to say that when I think about Minnesota and New York that they are the antithesis of each other. I just feel differently when I am here at home. If home is so familiar why do I find myself continually forgetting things? I forget to wear a jacket in this cold weather. I forget that going out is not the same. I forget that this is going to be semi-permanent. The boxes of clothes and books remind me that I made the decision to pack it all up. I know I can go back to New York. I know that there will be loved ones waiting there for me if and when I choose to do so. For now, however, I must get used to everything and remember how things used to be.


Things are slower here, from my internet connection to the drivers. I yell at drivers and curse at them. The difference here is that my windows are rolled up due not only to the cold, but because here you must always adhere to the policy of MN NICE. It is a policy founded with passivity in mind, the opposite of New Yorkers. New Yorkers will tell you when you are in their way or when you are walking too slowly. Here, you smile at others when really deep inside you are screaming "Bitch. I will cut you if you do not get out of my way!" But I would never even think about uttering such words to a fellow Minnesotan. I think if I did, they would remove me from the state.

Peace,
Alice

The Kitchen

There are many places where I feel so comfortable, loved, and warm: the kitchen. Growing up, my family had a huge tradition of eating dinner as much as we could. That time in the kitchen and at the dinner table shaped the kind of person I am today. Topics at the table would range from politics to religion to how our days were. The kitchen houses the incredible aromas of my mother's cooking. It is a place where things are reliable. Times change, people come and go, but the kitchen's hearth remains. I am sitting here right now listening to MPR with my mom. She is making homemade chicken soup. Amazing.

I LOVE NY

Good Morning! I am mixture of excitement and sadness right now. I am leaving today to go home to Saint Paul. I don't really know what to think about all of this. It is weird to think that my life is going to be completely uprooted and taken some place halfway across the country. There are so many things I can and cannot wait for. I cannot wait for what the rest of the day will bring. All of this voting has got me hopeful and happy. I can wait for prolonging my time here in New York. Things must come to an end, but why does the end come so soon?

Are all of these shoes necessary?

Infamous Silver Shoes in Soho

I am not one to loathe people, ideas, things. But I loathe a little something called packing. This is why in the past I have been known to pack drunk. I don't suggest this at all. However, I find that in life you've got to figure out for yourself how to get things done. The last packing job I did was terrible. I packed t-shirts (for MN weather) and two pairs of pants. I packed some cute dresses that were not worn on said trip. This time though things have changed. This time I am leaving for awhile and it is a grave matter. This time I am packing in a staggeringly sober state of mind and body. Perhaps I am turning over a new leaf.

I think the thing that irritates me the most about all of this is that every article of clothing, every pair of shoes, every picture reminds me of my time here in New York. I am all for nostalgia. In fact, I dwell in it to the point of concern. I threw away the gold sandals that carried me through the streets of Florence. I threw away the painful recital shoes. But there were some that I cannot part with...yet. I cannot part with the silver snake skin pumps that are peeling, or shedding. I wore those shoes all over Manhattan. Some people can't get rid of past relationships, embarrassing moments, movie stubs. I can't get rid of shoes. If that makes me a shallow person I am diving right in.

I want to go

Easter Island. It looks so amazing, enchanting, surreal. I want to go there. NOW.

The Streets are Alive with the Sound of Drunks

Happy November! There was much celebration in the streets last night. And no, Obama was not elected president, but that will come next Tuesday. One of the infinite things I love about New York is how important Halloween is to the people...and their dogs. On this day of all days the streets are full of optimism, cheer, drunks, you know. We decided to forgo the infamous parade and stick close to home. Picture us: lil wayne, vampire girl, pop star from the 90's, english sports fan, and sexy sheriff. We were pretty fucking amazing. Drinks were drunk, conversation was had, and friends were made. I danced with a boy who was dressed up as Sarah Palin. I thought this was fitting because I was a girl dressed as a boy. Normally on Halloween I try to look cute, but knew that this time things would be different. The compliments were worth the whole looking like a crazy person issue.