Remember Alf?

(photo via latenightwithjimmyfallon.com) 

Walking by my local DVD store a few days ago, I saw an "ALF" box set in the window. It took all my might not to race home and NetFlix the entire series. I forgot how smitten I was with that show as a kid. Dedicated viewer, right here!

Apparently Jimmy Fallon had a discussion on old-school puppetry on his show awhile back... Bummer I missed it! (Nerd alert!) 

Words With Friends

(photo via macworld.com)

Words With Friends = Bad News.

I'm obsessed. I downloaded Words with Friends onto my iPod Touch last week. I can't stop playing it. Perhaps it's a good thing I only get wifi while I'm on campus. Howevs, I'm tempted to come to campus just so I can play! Ahh, like I said, Words With Friends = Bad News!

Mary Poppins!

(photo via wunderbloc.com)

AmyJane and I saw Mary Poppins on Broadway last week. Two major thumbs up for student rush tickets!! It was sort of a Sunday afternoon impulse, but it worked out so splendidly! The show was down-right magical. It reminded me how smitten I am with being a child at heart. At the end of the show, I thought to myself, "I could reallyyyy go for a Mary Poppins carpet bag!" A few days later, I stumbled across this little photograph online. My inner fashionista is screaminggg!

The Produce Man

(photo via movingtonyc.wordpress.com)

It's been really *neat* (totally decided to bring back the word "neat!") lately to have a regular schedule (sort of) and see the same people during my walks to work. The Produce Man on 9th Ave and 49th Street waves to me every morning. And, I wave back. Perhaps I should introduce myself before I take off next week... I feel like we've developed a little bond!

Window Shopping

(photo via wikimedia.com)

Spring cleaning is wretched. Indeed, it feels oh-so good to see the progress, but the whole dust-bunny thing kind of kills me. However, this time around, I had a different agenda. Due to my upcoming migration west, I decided it would be wise to clean out my closet. You may recall me talking about Housing Works a few posts back... Welp, I decided to donate some used clothes to them. Their store is pretty baller. The window motifs are fun and frisky. Although it's a thrift store, I'm pretty sure its operated by some fresh fashionistas.

So, to my story... I donated a few bags of clothes last week. As I was walking by the store today, one of my donated purses hung on the wrist of the window mannequin. Ahh! Cool, eh? I thought to myself, "Wow, I really like that bag!"

Happy Birthday, Sister!

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet Sister! The big day was yesterday. My sincerest apologies for being a day late on the birthday post, although I did make  the official birthday phone call yesterday!

Melanie, you are truly quite wonderful! I look up to you oh-so much and cherish the bond we share as sisters. Your dedication as a mother, wife, career woman, daughter, and sister is truly inspiring. I love you so much, and can't wait to see you at the end of the month! :) xoxo

Thank You!

(photo via ffffound.com)

Thank you, Mom, Melanie, Dad, my dear friends, my lovely relatives. The last two years would have been impossible without your unconditional love and support. I have a long and terrifying road ahead, but I've made it this far because of you. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. So, I extend my sincerest thanks. xo

Phoenix

Indeed I just graduated, and I'm getting a lot of "What's next, Lauren??" and "Find a job yet??" and even a few "The real world is scary! Are you ready??"

So, what is next? Here's the story...

After careful consideration, I've decided to move back to Phoenix. Pause for reaction.

I've mentioned it in blogs here and there, and perhaps alluded to my excitement for returning to my hometown. The truth is, I miss it.

Yes, I love, love, love Manhattan. I have developed a sincere passion for this big city lifestyle. But, I'm ready for something else. Will I find it in Phoenix? Maybe. But, I know I've looked for it here, and I haven't found it. The next year will give me the opportunity to seek some field experience, now that I've completed my degree. And, I'd like to obtain my PhD one day, but the reality is... Money is a bit tight and it would be wise to spend my summer making a genuine investment in my future, that is studying for the GRE (Yikes!) and writing phenomenal letters to schools. And even better - spending some quality time with my family and friends. I miss my dear Miss Kate, my wonderful Sister, my supportive parents, and my lovely friends. I'm ready to make Phoenix a home, even if it's a temporary transition to something else. Sure, I've gotten some grief from some pals here in NYC, like I'm giving up on this lifestyle, like I couldn't hack it, like I disliked it all along... They joke, of course. But, the reality is... I did succeed here. I'm not giving up, simply moving along, heading in another direction.

So, I have a wicked to-do while I'm home! I still have four crazy weeks left in New York City. I've got some research to wrap up, and a few tasks to take care of. Naturally, I plan to make the very most of my final days in the city, embracing the grace and charm of this city. But, here are a few things on my mind...

1. Eat at Pita Pit with my gal pals. 

2. Shop at the H & M in Scottsdale with my Sister (Cha! There are H & M's in NYC, but I'd like to dig into a little big city shopping as a desert rat.)

3. Central Coast Wine Tour. 'Nuff said. 

4. Dance. Dance. Dance. 

5. Take an Aqua Zumba Class

6. Canoodle with my Mom, Sister, and Baby Kate

7. Go swimming. In a swimming pool. While it's 100 degrees outside. 

8. Cosmic Bingo! My friend Kristin piqued my interest yesterday. 

9. Drive. A car. With the windows down.

10. Get a good haircut. (I really only trust my hairdresser in Phoenix. Snobbish? No, just selective.)

11. Eat at Postino with Brie.

12. Do the Scottsdale Art Walk.

13. Go on a hot air balloon ride.

14. Go Salt River Tubing.

15. Find a job? Whoa, how did *finding a job* make it on this list?

16. Visit the Cave Creek Thieves Market. Have you ever heard of this??

17. Visit First Friday in Downtown Phoenix, hosted by ArtLink

18. Go Bowling. 

19. Join the gym again. Amen. 

20. Surround myself with family and friends. 

Pure Imagination, Maroon 5

(photo via designchampagne.wordpress.com)

There's a new commercial out right now. I couldn't tell you what the product was, for the life of me. But, I'm uber smitten with the song - Pure Imagination. It's the song the *original* Willy Wonka sings at the end of the movie. Naturally, I "iTuned" it. Turns out, Maroon 5 does a beautiful little rendition. (Note: There's a little bit of political banter in the middle. Kind of bogeys up the song, but it's pretty sweet, nonetheless.)

Check it out! I downloaded it, obvi. 

Flower Clips for Baby Kate

Bless my dear Sister's heart! For the longest time she tried so hard to keep Baby Kate from touching the flower clips in her hair. My Sister would put it in. Baby Kate would pull it out, then insist my Sister put it back in. My Sister would put it back in, Baby Kate would pull it out, then insist she put it back in. They would go round and round all day... Until now. Looky, looky... I do believe she's over her silly little game.

Graduation Day Attire

I must share some love for my graduation day attire. (I certainly wish I could have been more creative with my hair. Mortar boards are so unflattering.) I was soo smitten with my dress! Many thanks to my dear friend Andrea for funding it. And to my delightful surprise, I received a lovely little package in the mail on Tuesday, two days before the big day. I opened up the package to find a fancy pair of Guess floral platforms from my dear friends Hayley, Joan, and Kristin. Ahhh! I love them all so much for thinking of me, making my day very special! xoxo

Picnic on the Roof

To celebrate our graduations and transition to adulthood (whatever that is), we decided to invite friends from our programs over to the apartment for a picnic party on the roof. The weather was downright gorgeous and the sunset was the perfect encore to the evening. We had sexy sangria and some delightful little snacks. Aaron even made his famous bruschetta!

Chchchcheck it out!

We even had a staring contest! I got the idea from A Cup of Jo several months back and I've been dying to try it out. My pals were a little skeptical at first, but we were all laughing by the end.

Ahh, the night was truly magical! 

Create.

Live. Work. Create. (Outside an apparel shop in Brooklyn.) 

I love that "Create" was included. 

I graduated!

It happened! Finally. After two years of blood, sweat, and tears, I'm done! (Ok, a bit dramatic, I know...)

The ceremony was quite lovely, but bitterly boring - as to be expected. However, I got to share the experience with my closest girlfriends. It was a very special time and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Check it out...

99 Experiences

(photo via ffffound.com)

My lovely gal pal Nicole over at Letters from Coco recently posted a list of special experiences. The idea is to cross off those you've accomplished and reflect on those still to come. So, I'm partaking. Thanks, Nicole, for the lovely activity; I figured it's a good way to jump-start my summer, and get back in the blogging swing. :) Enjoy! (P.s. My experiences are in orange. Those to come are in black.)
 

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to DisneyLand

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sung a solo

11. Bungee jumped or cliff jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Been sky diving

66. Visited a Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Gotten a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Interesting to think: Most of the experiences I've had occurred in foreign countries. This is totally life telling me to travel more. 

Still to come...

- Graduation Stories!

- Sunburn Stories -slash- Beach Stories. Yikes.

- Sex and the City. Oh my!

- Rooftop Parties!

- Memorial Day Weekend Shenanigans. :)

Happy Tuesday, my friends! I hope your holiday was warm and special!