Another Year Older... Hopefully Wiser Too

Last night my dear fellow and his family in visiting from the Chicago area took me out to dinner here in our new burb at Aozora, a Japanese French spot. I apologize to you now and tell you to turn down the sound if you click on the restaurant link. IT IS LOUD... and the site is super annoying to use.)

We had so many laughs and succeeded in embarrassing the 10 year old at the table to boot!

The Japanese dishes were wonderful... the French dishes were just "eh" aside from the tasty French desserts (See below in the slide show.) Our waiter was AWESOME! Funny, pleasant and on top of it!

Still trying to figure out how to celebrate my birthday with my friends.

Time for some unpacking!!

Thank you 100 times over THANK YOU!!


My family not only is so supportive whenever I need something -- but when they say they will come and help -- THEY HUSTLE!!!


WOW!


My folks arrived shortly before lunch on Saturday from New Hampshire and stayed until the same time the next day, and my brother and his family filled the next shift Sunday before lunch until late Sunday night.


My folks plowed through the "wet stuff", laying it all out in the hot sun (we were blessed with SUN - Yeah!!!) I'm sure my neighbors in the buildings above that look onto my garden were wondering what the heck I was up to now!!!


Sunday we took a few breaks for meals... Including a huge waffle covered in whipped cream and yummy Japanese food later in the night!

My brother kept my spirits up getting hatty...I wonder if he remembered that was the hat I designed and wore to his college graduation!? (It was in far better shape then!!) Those red dots are large ladybugs and the entire hat is covered with daisies! :-)

With everyones help, I was able to get the flood level into a shape where in I could leave it while I go away again!

Back to China in 2 days!!!

Thanks everyone! You saved my sanity, not only my stuff!

I Have the Best Family

This whole flood, travel, work thing -- it's been pretty overwhelming this week to say the least.

Seems everyone I know is swamped with commitments in their own lives (or they're out of the country)...but my parents and my brother will drive here this weekend from New Hampshire and Massachusetts to help me pack up 1/2 of my apartment (the half with the most stuff I might add) so it won't be ruined by the traveling mold while I'm traveling through Asia these coming 2 weeks. The movers will come to transport it all to a to-be-arranged storage unit upon my return. (Everything must be dry before it's moved to storage.)

I can't thank them enough. I really needed the hands (I can't lift up the cabinets etc onto blocks alone without getting hurt!)...and I really needed the support!

They always have come through for me when I've needed it. Thanks! You're the best!!
Sent from my Blackberry

Opera Monday

I went to the office today and sent Mom and Dad to see the Bodies Exhibit. If you have one of these exhibits in a city near you, GO SEE IT! It's amazing. They both enjoyed it. It really is fascinating. Afterwards they met me at my office to see the new line (Fall/Winter 2007). We went across the street to the Red Lantern for some Thai food for lunch. YUM!!
Then they went home and I went back to work for a few hours.

Dan started his photography course at the ICP today. It's all day every day this week. I'd LOVE to take a course like this. Perhaps one of these days I'll take a vacation week and do something like this...although I also want to attend a few knitting courses out west. So many fun options -- if only I had unlimited time and money, ya know?

The day is finally here!!

I bought the tickets for this production of The First Emporer at the MET back in August!! Yeah!!! Mom, Dad, Brian, Ann Marie and Robin had all journeyed down from NH to join Dan and I for this opera. FUN!

First, all of us save for Dan had a fantastic meal at Payard on the east side. SO YUMMY!! I want to go back for some breakfast pastries soon!!! YUM! Dan would join us at the Opera after his class. The photo, left, is of the dessert I had -- - wow chocolate heaven! The dinner had been so good, I wish I'd left more room for dessert. Killer coffee too!

During dinner, Robin gave us each a gift... see the photo at the right... What is it? Opera glasses from the M&M store in Times Square!! What fun! Thanks Robin! I'll continue to make good use of them!

After dinner I arranged two livery cars to be waiting for us at the end of our meal, and we were wisked across Central Park to Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera. Just as we arrived and were getting out of the cars, it began to snow! It was something like a fairy tale. Just beautiful!

When you go to the MET, Be sure to arrive in time to see the chandeliers raise into the eves. It's magical.

We were there to see The First Emperor, a opera world premiering at the MET, starring Placido Domingo. It was a visual buffet, but I think I would have enjoyed it better had it been completely sung in Chinese rather than in English with bits of Chinese. English is not really a great language to hear opera in. It's not as smooth as so many others.

I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy it...I just think they will tighten it up and make a better showing of it after they spend some more time on it at their next stop in LA. Rumour has it that they aim to perform it in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics. I wonder if it'll be in English or Chinese when they perform it in China?

It was a lovely night...a lovely weekend. I'll be sorry to see my folks head home tomorrow. It's too bad that they live far enough away that easy visits (meeting for dinner after work or seeing a movie) are not in the cards without lots of planning.

Sunday is Jazz Day

Today was a FUN DAY! After a nice brunch with Morgan, my folks and I relaxed for the afternoon...at one point all of the men in the house were sleeping side-by-side on the couch (yes that's Dad and the three cats -- ooh and a sweater i knit for Dad years ago!!) Too funny!! Soon we were dashing downtown to meet Michelle at the restaurant called Colors. It's a co-op restaurant (meaning all of the staff has a stake in the restaurant.) This means everyone was eager to make sure you had a great experience. Decent food that switched with the seasons, and an interesting world menu.

Then we cabbed it up to Birdland to see Chico O'Farrel's 18pc Afro-Cuban Jazz Band. Yep, the same one I'd seen on New Year's Eve with Michelle. My parents hadn't been to Birdland in 20 some years -- they last time they were there it was not only in it's last location, but they saw Miles Davis!! (Sooo Lucky!!)

This time my parents friends and neighbors from New Hampshire had journeyed down for the weekend to attend tomorrow nights festivities, so they also joined us here. My Mom danced in her chair all night, and Robin wore a perma-grin. Everyone had a fun time!!

Saturday with My Folks
Day one of my folks visit! Lots of funin store for the weekend!! This morning I made a yummy oatmeal. I think I've finally mastered Dan's recipe! Yeah!! It is SO GOOD!!

From here we hopped the subway and rode downtown to McNulty's Tea and Coffee shop so I could restock my peppermint tea and coffee beans. This is a great little shop. It's been here since the late 1800s. Mom found a few interesting things to try too!
From here it was back uptown for lunch at Ollie's Noodle shop!! Cantonese soups were enjoyed by all!! Yum!! And the service there is always so quick and convienently located across from the Barnes and Noble and the AMC Cinema near Lincoln Center.
We popped over to Barnes and Noble so Mom could spend her Christmas gift card. She found some great books from her list!!

Upon returning home, Jo came over for knitting lesson #2. Her stitch has gotten really good, and so fast! She's a natural! Oh, and she's hooked! :-)

Book Day!!!

I awoke to THIS --- SNOW!!! YIPPEE!!!


My niece and I had to get out there and play in the snow, even if only a wee little bit (since we weren't going to have time to change again if we got all soggy. So I made up the game "big foot little foot" where we walk next to each others feet and it looks like someone had stood there with one big foot and one little foot. This totally cracked Alana up...so much so that I was asked to go in and bring out Nana to try the game as well!




We have a wonderful family tradition that takes place the day after Christmas. On Christmas day we each find an envelope in the tree with our names on it containing $25. This money is spent the following day at the Dartmouth Bookstore in Hanover, NH. We’ve done this since my brother and I were kids. Their clearance section has always been a great way to build our personal libraries!

Our wonderful friends, Brian and Anne Marie began to join us – gosh, how many years has it been now? We had a lovely lunch at the Dartmouth Inn and then were off to book shop!!

Once we’d spent our allotted money (and any extra .. ehem…), I dropped my folks and niece off at their house and I dashed to Meredith to meet up with my dear old friends Jen and Kate at Church Landing. They have a very nice and relaxing lounge that we ate dinner in leisurely as we chatted and laughed.
Another lovely day in NH. Tomorrow I head south!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The day began with our traditional opening of the stockings. We all pile onto my parents bed as we have since my brother and I were children and we open the presents in the stockings.

From here we went downstairs... I love this photo of 9 month old Alex looking around the new wall! This used to be a totally closed wall -- let alone the addition of the hallway sky light! My father has done so much work on the house since I saw it last! Mom convinced him to wait on installing the new staircase until after the holidays... Just in case it wasn't done in time and we couldn't get to the top floor! The living room (some day dining room) is so much more comfortable with this added light.

And raced to see what Santa brought! Look -- the cup of milk, cookies and carrots - GONE!
And a lovely note left in their place!

Then we all had a bite to eat (even though I know it was REALLY hard not to just go open more presents...but nobody likes a hungry crabby-crab on Christmas!)

And then... it was gift opening time!!!

Some highlights...
*Alana and her pop-together jewelry set.
*Giving my Dad what was done of his cabled vest so far...of course I had to reclaim it to bring it with me so that I can finish it!
* Mom getting her serger from Dad.
* AC getting her lathe from Keith.
* Alex getting the beautiful bunting that Mom (Nana) knit for him.

After all of the gifts were opened, and before we went to our neighbors for Christmas dinner. (A wonderful spread as always!! Thanks!)

It was fun to watch Alana and OB (my Dad) make some fun things with her new pop-together jewelry set.

As the day ended... there was snow.

SNOW!! Let's see what it looks like tomorrow!

Christmas Eve!

Snow update: No snow yet!!

I'm not used to having so much time in New Hampshire when I head there for Christmas.
Having this time enabled me some long overdue catch-up with old friends.

I hopped into the car and drove a few towns over to see my oldest friend, Deb, and her family (Kory upper left, Reid to the right and Nicole lower left.) Deb and I have been friends for almost 30 years. That in itself says a lot! I arrived bearing lunch and presents for the kids. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts. (Phew!) Including Nicole who seemed happy with her new knitting supplies. Yeah!!

Mostly though, it was just great to chat and catch up in person rather than over the phone or email. T'was also nice to see their new house. They've put a lot of work into it already. Craig has done beautiful tile work on the first floor and Deb did wonderful stenciling in all of the kids rooms.

I know, it's a never ending project!

From there I dashed back to my parent's house and got ready for our traditional Christmas Eve party where friends and family (my parents on the left and my brother with my niece and nephew at right) pop by as they can.

The buffet is laid out and, of course, there is always more than enough food for all.

I was so happy that Toni was able to stop by! It was so nice to be able to catch up and chat about the plans for her wedding in person. I'm Maid of Honor in her wedding in Puerto Rico at the end of February. It will be nice to share in her celebration. So much to do before then...now is NOT the time to think about that though. I'm on vacation!

Before bed Alana put out cookies, milk and a carrot for Santa and his trusty reindeer. Then we each opened one gift...Alana helped AC and Alex open Alex's gift...his handknit Christmas stocking (yes, I got it done in time!!)

Finally we put out all of the presents under the tree and into the stockings in preparation for Christmas morning traditions.

Time for bed so Santa can come!