Hi Everyone!
I am leaving for Africa tomorrow and I'd really love to send postcards to everyone.
Please email me your addresses - even if you think I SHOULD have them, there is a good chance I don't.
Love you guys. I'll miss y'all. See you when I get back!
Ness
Monday, November 26, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Cutie Puppy Video
I know this is not good quality, but bear with me. It's the first video I've really done with modern technology! I had to learn the essentials of video downloading, "editing" and uploading for my trip. Here are Ruby and Eve on Youtube!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - From a Couple of Displaced Texans in New York!
Justin and I made our first official, traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Check out our photos:
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| Thanksgivi |
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Nice Evening - Shopping and Dining in SoHo
Sunday, Olivia and I had a very productive day of shopping at Roosevelt Field Mall. I also want to mention that she got a fantastic haircut. Photos need to be taken and uploaded! At any rate, we happened to go into Pottery Barn that day and I eyeballed a few things I wanted to show Justin.
It was just after 8 PM last night that he and I finally made it to SoHo, with Justin arriving home a little late and me still being tied up with work. We had but two goals: visit Pottery Barn and exchange a jacket for Justin at Zara. The latter did not work out as they closed at 8 and were uncompromising about letting us in the store. We were able to wander through Pottery Barn. We picked up a Pear scent with diffuser sticks. I have never used such a strange, middle ages type of contraption, so we will see how it works. We also got some really pretty silver beaded coasters.
We wandered through Crate and Barrel, which I heart, but not yesterday. Crate and Barrel, you let me down. *shakes head*
We were on our way to VBar for a glass of wine and dinner, which I have read good reviews about on Yelp! (click for the review here), but wound up at Dos Caminos instead. It's a place I have been meaning to try for a while, and since we were walking past it, we decided to eat there instead. It was so good! Now my sister complains about the price : size ration of margaritas at the 5 Burros! I think she'd have a fit here. The margaritas are small and terribly expensive. I guess it helps you limit yourself. The chips, salsa and guacamole were all delicious as was the shrimp ceviche. I got the ceviche trio, which was comprised of shrimp Veracruzana (cascabel chiles, passion fruit, avocado), lobster ceviche (coconut, lime, habanero, fresh mint), and tuna ceviche (soy-lime marinade, sesame, chiles torreados). The shrimp was hands down the best - very good for any ceviche, even in Texas. Justin got tacos al carbon (grilled chicken breast, citrus-chile, guacamole, orange salsa) which were sooo freaking good. The drinks were good too, I just know they should cost HALF of what they do. I would definitely go back to Dos Caminos, just not very often. ;)
In random news, I am REALLY looking forward to climbing and ice fall in Canada with my sister Val! in January! Yay crampons and ice axes!
Also, Shelley (from JetBlue) got back from London. Here are her photos.
Check out my Africa Blog on Austin-Lehman Adventures' . You could potentially win some cool stuff (unless you are Mom, Dad, Val!, or Justin. Sorry guys)!
It was just after 8 PM last night that he and I finally made it to SoHo, with Justin arriving home a little late and me still being tied up with work. We had but two goals: visit Pottery Barn and exchange a jacket for Justin at Zara. The latter did not work out as they closed at 8 and were uncompromising about letting us in the store. We were able to wander through Pottery Barn. We picked up a Pear scent with diffuser sticks. I have never used such a strange, middle ages type of contraption, so we will see how it works. We also got some really pretty silver beaded coasters.
We wandered through Crate and Barrel, which I heart, but not yesterday. Crate and Barrel, you let me down. *shakes head*
We were on our way to VBar for a glass of wine and dinner, which I have read good reviews about on Yelp! (click for the review here), but wound up at Dos Caminos instead. It's a place I have been meaning to try for a while, and since we were walking past it, we decided to eat there instead. It was so good! Now my sister complains about the price : size ration of margaritas at the 5 Burros! I think she'd have a fit here. The margaritas are small and terribly expensive. I guess it helps you limit yourself. The chips, salsa and guacamole were all delicious as was the shrimp ceviche. I got the ceviche trio, which was comprised of shrimp Veracruzana (cascabel chiles, passion fruit, avocado), lobster ceviche (coconut, lime, habanero, fresh mint), and tuna ceviche (soy-lime marinade, sesame, chiles torreados). The shrimp was hands down the best - very good for any ceviche, even in Texas. Justin got tacos al carbon (grilled chicken breast, citrus-chile, guacamole, orange salsa) which were sooo freaking good. The drinks were good too, I just know they should cost HALF of what they do. I would definitely go back to Dos Caminos, just not very often. ;)
In random news, I am REALLY looking forward to climbing and ice fall in Canada with my sister Val! in January! Yay crampons and ice axes!Also, Shelley (from JetBlue) got back from London. Here are her photos.
Check out my Africa Blog on Austin-Lehman Adventures' . You could potentially win some cool stuff (unless you are Mom, Dad, Val!, or Justin. Sorry guys)!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Off to Africa
Africa has always seemed impossibly far away. Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, the few things that stuck out in my mind about Africa were largely negative, from the continent having the largest concentration of AIDs in the world, to seemingly endless wars and the trouble with elephants being poached for their tusks. The benefits of going on safari, seeing the foreign and exotic landscape and animals, and meeting the indigenous people seemed far too dangerous.
It was less than five years ago that I even learned metropolitan cities existed in the middle of what I’d always thought to be severe, hot, dry wilderness. Never mind I had no idea there were wineries and waterfalls. I’d only met one person in my life before I moved to New York who had actually been on a safari in Africa. He is a serious hunter and rancher in Texas. His photographs showed images of exotic animals, beautiful landscapes, smiling people, and huge termite mounds 2 or 3 times as tall as an average person! He’d gone on a luxury safari which had cost him upwards of $10,000. He said he loved it so much he’d go back in a heartbeat. I was completely floored with how safe he felt there, how kind everyone was, and by the beautiful scenery in his photographs. It seemed that there was much, much more to Africa than I’d learned in school.
Just two weeks ago I received a phone call from Dan (Dan Austin - Director and co-founder of Austin-Lehman Adventures) and Carmin (Carmin Arnot - South Africa Regional Director). It was my very last day working for JetBlue Airways. They had both been on the phone for a while going over their plans for an Africa trip and abruptly called to ask me if I wanted to go. I was at a loss for words… OF COURSE I wanted to go! Who in their right mind would say no to a trip to Africa? And I hadn’t even officially started working with Austin-Lehman yet! I was told there was still a lot of planning to be done and that I may end up not being able to go at all – everything was still pending approval. I tried, to little avail, to keep from getting my hopes up or talking about it. Finally, last week, it was confirmed – I am definitely going!
It was less than five years ago that I even learned metropolitan cities existed in the middle of what I’d always thought to be severe, hot, dry wilderness. Never mind I had no idea there were wineries and waterfalls. I’d only met one person in my life before I moved to New York who had actually been on a safari in Africa. He is a serious hunter and rancher in Texas. His photographs showed images of exotic animals, beautiful landscapes, smiling people, and huge termite mounds 2 or 3 times as tall as an average person! He’d gone on a luxury safari which had cost him upwards of $10,000. He said he loved it so much he’d go back in a heartbeat. I was completely floored with how safe he felt there, how kind everyone was, and by the beautiful scenery in his photographs. It seemed that there was much, much more to Africa than I’d learned in school.
Just two weeks ago I received a phone call from Dan (Dan Austin - Director and co-founder of Austin-Lehman Adventures) and Carmin (Carmin Arnot - South Africa Regional Director). It was my very last day working for JetBlue Airways. They had both been on the phone for a while going over their plans for an Africa trip and abruptly called to ask me if I wanted to go. I was at a loss for words… OF COURSE I wanted to go! Who in their right mind would say no to a trip to Africa? And I hadn’t even officially started working with Austin-Lehman yet! I was told there was still a lot of planning to be done and that I may end up not being able to go at all – everything was still pending approval. I tried, to little avail, to keep from getting my hopes up or talking about it. Finally, last week, it was confirmed – I am definitely going!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Forest Hills, 11375
We are finally completely moved in to our new apartment. Today was the first day we were able to relax and not have to bother with U-HAULS and the like! It is prettier inside, bigger, and right next to amazing shops, restaurants, and an express train to the city, not to mention Justin's work, and Jamaica station - the lifeline to JFK and the LIRR (Long Island Railroad)!
I like being here, but there is still so much unpacking and decorating to be done. I'll enjoy it even more once the new apartment is ship shape. Still, it was nice to walk one block to a movie theater and watch a show last night with Val! and Justin. I really liked 30-Days of Night. As Val! pointed out - I screamed more than anyone in the theater. I also laughed and cried during the movie. I know the fact that I was sleep-deprived from the move and about to start my period contributed to it, but I am glad it made me appreciate the film more.
At any rate, I hope you enjoyed the recent photos I posted from Salem. I will try to get my photos with Justin up from our anniversary trip to Vermont soon.
I have been so busy with my new job, but I am enjoying it. :) I probably should write about it more and describe what I have been doing. Please check out our (new!) website here: Austin-Lehman Adventures.
Talk to y'all soon. Would be nice to hear from those of you I haven't (in a while or ever)!!!
-Ness
I like being here, but there is still so much unpacking and decorating to be done. I'll enjoy it even more once the new apartment is ship shape. Still, it was nice to walk one block to a movie theater and watch a show last night with Val! and Justin. I really liked 30-Days of Night. As Val! pointed out - I screamed more than anyone in the theater. I also laughed and cried during the movie. I know the fact that I was sleep-deprived from the move and about to start my period contributed to it, but I am glad it made me appreciate the film more.
At any rate, I hope you enjoyed the recent photos I posted from Salem. I will try to get my photos with Justin up from our anniversary trip to Vermont soon.
I have been so busy with my new job, but I am enjoying it. :) I probably should write about it more and describe what I have been doing. Please check out our (new!) website here: Austin-Lehman Adventures.
Talk to y'all soon. Would be nice to hear from those of you I haven't (in a while or ever)!!!
-Ness
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