For the foodies out there...

I spent a good deal of Friday talking to a friend about culinary school, which reminded me of a terrific blog that a friend of a friend writes. It's called Consuming Lilly - http://www.consuminglilly.com/. For some of the absolute best foodie blogging, you have to check this out.

Plus, the latest post is about Paula D!

Reality check.

I don't like to post about most personal stuff. I don't see this blog as an online diary, but today, I found out some news that I feel like I need to write about. But I'm going to keep names a secret.

Less than two months ago, I participated in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. At the event, there were lots of women wearing shirts with the names of loved ones printed or written on them, and at one point, I was asked to wear a sticker and had to fill in the blank after "I'm doing this for..." I didn't know what to write. I didn't know anyone who had breast cancer. As far as I knew, none of my close friends had a mother who had gone through the ordeal. The women in my family are fine. I remember thinking,"Ehh...I don't know who I'm doing this for. I'll just write 'All Women'." The sad part is that it never crossed my mind to feel FORTUNATE that I didn't have anything to write in that blank space, the way I nonchalantly decided on 'All Women.'

Today, I have a name to put in that blank.

This morning, I found out that someone I am friends with and at one point in my life, was a mentor, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Ever since I found out, I've been sitting at work, staring at my computer screen, unable to think about anything except repeating the word "cancer" over and over again in my head. My first thought was "Why her? Why now? This isn't fair."

My second thought was fear. She isn't that much older than me. If it can happen to her, it can happen to me. This is the first time something like breast cancer has hit so close to home, and I'm not dealing with it very well. It's kind of funny. I've been reading the blog she started about battling her cancer and she's generally upbeat and has maintained her sense of humor through the whole situation. And here I am - on the other side of the country and a complete wreck because I can't do anything to help.

As cliche as it sounds, I've had the biggest reality check of my life today. In a matter of seconds, every perception I had about being a woman changed. Cancer happens. It can happen to anyone. It can happen at any time.

The one thought I find solace in is that I know this friend is strong. In fact, she's probably one of the strongest people I know. She doesn't take shit from anyone, so this cancer better watch its back. She'll kick its ass before it even knows what happened. Ninja style.

Good vibes and prayers are being sent to California. Great big, ginormous panda-infused vibes...

Vermont bound.

I'm pretty stoked because in one more day, I'm heading to Vermont for the first time ever. My good friend and road trip buddy Allison is visiting from San Francisco, and we've decided to head up north. Plan on the secrets of maple syrup to be revealed upon my return.

Also, if I can find a baby moose to bring back with me, you better believe I'm going to have a new pet.

Two realizations.

Today, I learned that Amy Winehouse is only 25 years old. Man, that makes me feel good about the way I look for my own age. The wrinkles I'm starting to notice around my eyes when I smile don't seem like such a big deal when I see Ms. Winehouse's mug.

Secondly, I forgot how amazing The Great Gatsby is. While visiting Newport, Rhode Island with one of my best friends, Ms. Jessy Adams*, we saw a screening of the film version of the novel. I hadn't read the book or seen the movie since my freshmen year of high school, so after seeing the film, I thought I'd reread F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece. I'm only two chapters in, but I realize that as adult, I have a whole new appreciation for this book. Perhaps it's my Nick Carroway-esque migration from the Midwest to the East Coast that I can identify with, but this time around, I simply can't put the book down.

*It should be noted that Ms. Adams was a fantastic host. She made sure to haev all my favorite foods on hand, as well as a kick ass air-conditioning system. She also understands the importance of visiting stores like Target while vacationing away from New York as everyone knows the Target in Brooklyn sucks.

New catch phrase!

I'm currently staying with my best friend in a loft consisting of her and nine boys. It's pretty fun and kind of like I'm back in high school but my parents are super cool about me having friends of the opposite sex over late at night. However, I'm not living in some sort of weird orgy lifestyle - I sleep in the bed of my best friend since the second grade. It's about the unperviest thing in the world, so turn on your G-rated brains and stop being dirty.

Anyway, last night Emily and I stayed up until 5:30 in the morning talking about dudes and the same stuff we've been talking about for the past 20 years when we happened upon the best phrase ever. Complete disclaimer - Emily actually thought of this, but I'm hijacking her genius and calling it my own. I mean, I was clearly the muse in this situation. Without my physical presence she never would have had the creativity to think this up. And so, I shall introduce you to the best phrase ever invented in the history of the world and or space/time continuum:

"Your breath smells like farts."

ta-DA!

P.S. The picture included is of said best friend and me. We were most likely having another genius moment as this photo was taken.

Start spreading the news...

Today marks the one week anniversary of my return to New York, and can I say, I'm still on a natural high being fueled by the fact that I'm surrounded by friends in the greatest city in the world.

Apologies for not updating the blog. I've been busy catching up with people, etc. Also, I'm currently crashing in a Brooklyn loft with ten other people, so it's easy to get distracted when you have a handful of people to play Nintendo Wii with.

By the way, I've become addicted to Nintendo Wii.

I promise to post more regularly from now on. And expect a lot of restaurant-related posts to come your way. I forgot how much fun it is to eat out, and of course, there are some fabulous restaurants in New York. I'm hitting up Tea & Sympathy tomorrow, so I'll be sure to give you my two cents.

Also, upon my arrival back in Manhattan, I reached the pinnacle of bourgeois - I had afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. It was probably the best afternoon tea I have ever experienced, so I highly suggest you check it out.

Initially, I was going to write about grandmas...

...but I'm listening to my iPod and the Bob Dylan song "Shelter From the Storm" just came on (a song I listened to almost every time I walked home across the Williamsburg Bridge), and I've just finished trading e-mails with a friend back home. As a result, America is very firmly on my mind at the moment. The fact that I'm only one week and three days from coming back to America is finally starting to sink in. And man, I'm really excited, probably more excited than I've ever been about anything ever before.

My dad sent me a home made "welcome home" note today. I got a little teary eyed reading it and realized why I was coming home - my friends and family are way too kick ass to live THIS far away from. They don't make people like you guys and gals in this part of the world. That's for damn sure.

So to Mom, Dad, Sister, Emily, Jessy, Brian, David, Ryoko, Bradley, John, Alan, Matt, Damien, Peter, Allison (even though you live in San Francisco) , and everyone else I hang out with in Oklahoma and New York - we're in the final days. I look forward to seeing familiar faces in the airport and as I walk down Bedford Avenue or as I get on the L train to head home from work.

And yes, for the first few months I'm back, I'm going to be one of those assholes who swoons at the sight of the Empire State Building. Get ready. It's going be awesome!

Two types of friends.

I've decided that friends can fall into two categories:

1. The type that pick you up from the airport.
2 The type that wouldn't pick you up from the airport, even if you asked.