new year, new faces

Although I'm back to the daily grind in this new year, I'm already excited by several new people I've met through work. It's nice to feel like your hanging out and having fun while your at work, especially because I rarely have Friday night off! Here's to the silver lining 2010.

Holiday Highlights

While I was in Arkansas for Christmas 09, I went to Fayetteville to visit my sister and Jo. And Dana drove 4 hours from Norman, OK to see us! We only had 20 hours together, but as always, it was worth it. I love these girls and miss them always!

I'm not sure when we will see each other again, but I have hopes for Fall 2010.

Seth and Caleb were a source of entertainment and joy over Christmas. Seth always tries on my shoes when I visit. He ran around yelling, "Giddy up! Ride em cowboy! Yee-haw!" And when he gets upset with Caleb, he says, "Stop it you mean ole baby!" It's hard not to laugh.

Caleb is already 1 and a half years old! He loves working puzzles and is really good at it for his age. He calls me "Aunt Jewie" and knows the sounds every animal makes. And if you ask him what the giraffe or turtle says, he makes something up on the spot!

It was wonderful being home with loved ones and I definitely wasn't ready to leave! I always forget how nice it is to do laundry in your house and drive. I'm not sure when I'll be back in Little Rock, but it always feels like home when I'm there.

Happy Holidays from the Jacksons!

4 more days

until I see petite poisson and jolovefish!

Happiest Holiday

I was a bit worried about my plans for this holiday season. For a while it looked pretty grim. With Katie and Elliott unexpectedly having to be in Dallas for work on Katie's birthday made plans to celebrate together in New York impossible. I thought about staying in Little Rock an extra week but that would mean at least $100 fine for changing my flight. But luckily I now get to spend New Years at the Red Lion Inn with the Marriotts. I told Cara my plight and she said that there was a suite with two twin beds left at the lodge they're staying at, so I was welcome to come along and invite a friend. I was worried I would spend New Years alone and now I get to make money while skiing on vacation with Kristin! And this was especially good news since I've been at home sick with a stomach virus that I got from Claire! Most of the time I love my job, but I don't love not having sick days, health care, or being extra susceptible to germs.

Chronologically Speaking

Two days ago I had an epiphany and it struck me as odd that I had never done this before. I decided I should listen to all of Sufjan Stevens albums chronologically from start to finish. It's like a marathon of listening. I have a bad habit of listening to a new album once through and then deciding what songs are my favorite and adding that to a playlist on my iPod. But, that's not fair. That's selling myself short and the musician. I'm stunting my own appreciation for beauty and ignoring creative genius based on first impressions. Maybe I'm getting too cerebral over music, but I wanted to share my thoughts. So over the next few days, my ears are only listening to the following and in this particular order:

A Sun Came

Enjoy Your Rabbit

Michigan

Seven Swans

Illinois

The Avalanche

Songs for Christmas

The BQE

And luckily, on December 8th, Sufjan comes out with a new album, Music for Insomnia, which will fit nicely into my plan.

I just can't get enough

Top 6 Things I love right now:

1. Morgan Library on Madison and 36th. I saw an exhibit of early sketches and drafts of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak a month ago and went again last week to see an exhibit on the life and writings of Jane Austen. I'm seriously thinking of becoming a member because I absolutely love it.

2. Dover Thrift edition of Pride and Prejudice. It's only $3! Last time I read this book was for school and after seeing the exhibit at the Morgan Library, I decided to give it my leisure time.

3. Suede fur mitten. My Mama gave me a pair of these mittens that she got from Alaska years ago when I was home in August. I've been waiting ever since for the weather to turn cold so I can wear them!

4. Cowl neck scarf. I bought one from H&M and it looks similar to this one. And it was only $15.

5. Ella Fitzgerald. Lately I've been listening to her a lot. It makes me feel like I'm in a different era. My favorite songs are her duets with Louis Armstrong.

6. O.P.I nail polish in Here Today Aragon Tomorrow. It's the perfect shade of green and last time I got a manicure they didn't have it unfortunately.

Confession

I have a few. Well not really confessions, but a few things I'm slightly embarrassed about or think is too funny not to share with the few people who actually read this blog. Or I simply want your opinion. So, in no particular order, here they are:

1. I've been listening to Christmas music for two weeks now. I'm typically a one holiday at a time kind of girl. But for some reason, this year I just can't help myself!

2. Claire and Drew put on a play for me last night. Drew was a bat and Claire was a dragon. I laughed so hard I cried, because Claire's one line was "I am the dreaded dragon. I breath fire! The bat is my only friend left!" And Drew kept whispering it to her over and over from the other side of the room where she made her entrance. And Claire couldn't hear her so she kept saying "What? Drew, I can't hear you!" and ran off stage. Of course you had to be there to see Claire wearing only a hooded dragon costume and underwear, but you get the idea.

3. I'm seeing New Moon tonight. I haven't read the books, but I have a tendency, like many women, to see a movie simply because it stars an attractive man. And Rob Pattenson is undeniably attractive. 

4. Hank, Drew, and Claire love hearing stories about when I was little, back in the olden days before there were cell phones. It forces me to think back on all those silly and embarrassing childhood memories that I'd almost completely forgotten. So earlier this week I told them that I use to be afraid of Santa Claus. They weren't remotely sympathetic when I tried to explain that I didn't like the idea of an old man with a beard coming into my house at night and eating all the milk and cookies, even if his intention was to give me gifts. Every year I crawled into bed with my sister completely terrified. And when our family took pictures with Santa I refused to stand near him at all. The Marriott kids laughed at me for being afraid of someone who is so obviously good and nice. 

5. I've had a reoccurring dream that I have really long hair and it's making me want to grow it out again. But in order to have said long hair, I have to go through the in between awkward phase when I hate my hair everyday. Conundrum.

6. I've had my eye on someone for a while now, and I'm fairly certain he doesn't even know I exist.