Nana

Nick and I just returned from our vacation in Belize. I will be posting all our vacation travel adventures and pictures in the next few days.

The end of our vacation was extremely difficult and heartbreaking. My mom's mom, my Nana, died Sunday evening.

Nick and I were able to re-route our flights to Atlanta. We landed in Atlanta on Saturday night and headed straight over to the Hospice facility. The whole time on the flight from Belize to Atlanta (with a small layover in Miami) I kept thinking, "please let me make it in time to say goodbye." My mom had called before we took off from Belize letting me know she was getting progressively worse.

I took a Hospice elective course in nursing school and knew patients tended to hold on until they could say goodbye to everyone. I prayed that was the case for me.

When we got there Nana was still with us. She wouldn't open her eyes but she did respond to you when you talked to her. She would blink her eyes or move her eyebrows. I believe with every part of me that she could hear us. Hearing is the last sense to go.

I sat with her for a long time and just talked.... talked about anything and everything. She was so important to me. I loved her so very much. She was the "coolest" Nana anyone could ask for. She was so young at heart. I mean, she got a tattoo in her early sixties. Butterfly on her ankle.

I remember seeing one of my first R rated movies with her. We rented the first Scream. We sat on the couch and huddled together. Everytime she would get scared she would scream "shit!" She got a Henna tattoo with me when we were in Florida. We could shop for hours - I think that's where I got my love for shoes!

She was always there for me, no matter what. She was so strong, compassionate, and funny. She loved her grandchildren more than anything. There is this ache in my heart right now. I know it will get better but never completely go away. She wasn't just my Nana but a friend. I miss her so much already. She will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Here are just a few pictures I have saved to the computer...








She loved to dance!


Mom, Nana, and me.

Nana, I love you so much.

Food, Food, and More Food

Nick and I have both been pretty busy. So I haven't had time to update the blog but we had a few things going on these past few nights.

Wednesday night we had a camera class for our new Canon. Basically, the class taught us the basics of using a Canon camera. It really helped. The guy teaching the class was a little strange. But, he knew a lot about cameras. We received some really great tips that hopefully we will be able to apply to our trip!

After that class we went and ate at Hill Country BBQ... we were just so close we couldn't pass it up. It turned out there was a band playing. We were able to eat some yummy BBQ and listen to good ole country music!


Thursday night I went out with Jennifer and Ariane again! We made plans to meet up at El Rio Grande. I never pass up an opportunity to have some chips and queso! I love meeting the girls on Thursday night... it has become a nice ritual. We didn't even order anything! I mean when you have a bowl of queso and never ending refills of chips.... well, it's hard to stop!

Friday night Nick and I met Dendy and Devin down in West Village at EN Brasserie. Dendy, aka "Dr. Engelman" is a physician I work with who is also from the South (S. Carolina). We hit it off the first day! She's getting married in October to Devin who is the nicest guy! He's an investment banker - so of course Nick and him had a lot in common! It was such a great evening!

The food was so yummy! Contemporary Japanese! I have tried so many new things since moving here. I never thought I would have eaten some of the food I have.

Saturday Nick and I went to Union Square Market. It's basically this outdoor market where local farmers come sell the produce, meat, flowers, etc. It was a pretty nice day - a little overcast. It started to sprinkle just a little but only for minute. I thought it would be fun if we bought some food and made dinner later that night.

The outdoor Market - tons of people!

We ended up with a great meal. We bought some fresh salad, tomatoes, cheese biscuits, gold potatoes, and some rib-eye. And then ended purchasing a small apple and cherry pie for desert!

It was nice to walk around and support all the local farmers. They also had some beautiful flowers on display. I wanted to buy some so bad but Nick informed me we didn't have any vases to put them in. And why don't we have any vases, you ask? Well, Nick shattered the two that we did have! So I told him the next gift he buys me should be a new vase and some flowers from Union Square Market!

So pretty!

We saw this woman next to a produce stand. I kept hearing this screeching noise.... we turned around and saw two birds on this woman's shoulder. She acted as if this was just another day. It was quite funny to see!


We came home and later that night cooked our meal! It was sooo good! Everything turned out wonderful. We sat down and enjoyed our meal while watching Toy Story 3. Which by the way is so cute! Thanks to Jennifer and Ariane for telling me we needed to watch it!


These past couple of days were wonderful! Only 2 more days until Nick and I are back home in Dallas. It will be the first time since leaving last August. We are so excited! Next post..... Home.

Saturday Fun

This Saturday I spent with my dear friend Lauren. I think I've mentioned her before.... known since Kindergarten!

We made plans to see Something Borrowed and have some brunch afterwords.

The movie was too cute! I mean who doesn't love girly, romantic movies? I know I do! Lauren had read the book and said there were a few things that were different but not too much. I might have to read it now!

After the movie we walked up to Isabelle's. This was actually one of the first restaurants Nick and I ate at when we had our first visit to NYC. Lauren took us there after playing around at the Natural Museum of Natural History.

It was a really nice day so we were seated on the patio. Shortly after our food arrived we started to notice small rain drops hitting our table. It was manageable at first but then it started to get heavier.

The guy sitting behind me started talking very loudly to the staff. "You need to hurry and get that cover out." I mean, the staff were working has fast as they could but they also had heaters outside. As they started to pull out the cover the heaters were getting stuck and about to fall over. So they had to deal with that before the cover could come all the way out.

Well, it started to rain a lot harder. So I pulled out my umbrella and covered our table until the restaurant got everything figured out. After a few more minutes we were safely covered and back to enjoying our brunch!

Only to have the cover put back about 5 minutes later because the rain was finished and we had lots of sunshine!

So, brunch was exciting! Always something in New York!


Patios and sunshine go so well together!

Cinco de Mayo

Love. Love. Love Cindo de Mayo. Why? Oh, I don't know... margaritas, chips, salsa, queso, and lots of other yummy Mexican food.

NYC has a few Mexican restaurants. Nick and I have tried a lot but we haven't really found that one Tex-Mex place that really does it for us. They have some nice fine dinning restaurants but not Tex-Mex.

Nick is slammed with school assignments so I went out with the co-workers to celebrate. I found the restaurant in Zagat and under Tex-Mex. Figured it was worth a shot.

We went to Rio El Grande in Murray Hill. It.Was.Packed. Luckily, we were able to get a table. The margaritas were pretty good. And as in good I mean strong! I had one and that was about it for me (I know, I am a light-weight). I also might have picked this place because they are one of the few places that actually have queso on their menu. I love queso. It turned out to be really good. Almost reminded me of a OTB queso. I definitely pigged out on chips and queso.

It was super loud in there. I could hardly hear myself talk. But we had a great time. The table next to us ended up having some Texas Exes and they broke into the school song. Blah! I started putting my Gun's Up!! Greatness!


Precious!


Love them!

After the happy hour was over I went and met Jennifer and Ariane at Bar Paya down in East Village. It's a really cute contemporary Peruvian restaurant. I had never had Peruvian before and was really excited.

I pretty much relied on Jennifer to pick what to eat. It's one of her favorites. We had a glass of wine and ordered some yuca fries, really interesting burgers (I can't remember the name either), and some awesome ceviche. I didn't think I liked ceviche but this was really great. My palate is expanding!!

It was so great to meet up with the girls! I have decided and think everyone agrees that it should become a Thursday night ritual. Who doesn't love girl time?!


Me, Jennifer, and Ariane... so fun!

Weekend Fun

These past couple of days have been quite fun!

Saturday I enjoyed my first spray tan ever. Can you believe it? I mean, I do work in Dermatology. We always say, "pale is the new tan." But who really wants to look pasty white? Not me! Well, I take it back. It's okay during the winter...I mean who really looks tan during the winter. But, I will be heading to Belize in two weeks. I.Can. Not be looking pasty white!

The spray tan was actually pretty interesting. I really had no idea what to expect. The girl who checked me in was really nice and talked me through everything. Showed me all the poses...who new I would have to do the "Walk like an Egyptian" during a spray tan? All in all in went really well. I came out a little darker than I expected but the girl said that would happen. After the first shower it looked amazing. So, test run a success. I will be going back before my trip!

Later in the afternoon I went down to Soho to do a little shopping. I'm the kind of girl who really doesn't do a lot of shopping. Maybe 3 times a year...

My first stop was Sunglass Hut. I have been wanting some new sunglasses for a while. I was given the pair I have now as a graduation gift (from college)...so going on five years. That's pretty good... I figured it was about time to get some. My trip was a success! I got these oh so very cute Tory Burch glasses. I am in love. But, the best part of the story was when I went to check out...

Andrea (actually turned out to be the store manager): How is your day going?
Me: Oh, it's great. Just enjoying the sunshine and getting some shopping done.
Andrea: I know, isn't this weather great?
Me: Yes, I am so glad it's finally warm. My husband and I moved to NYC in August and survived our first winter.
Andrea: Oh gosh, I've been here for a long time. This has to be one of the worst winters in a very long time. I'm originally from Georgia and it took me a while to get use to the winters.
Me: Oh, my parents are from Georgia. My mom side's is from Atlanta and my dad's is from Macon.
Andrea: No way! I am from Macon.
Me: Wow, that's so crazy.

We then proceeded to say what a small world it is and continue to talk about anything Southern. She then says to me, "I like you... I am going to give you 30% off." I was so pleasantly surprised! It was great! So my Tory Burch sunglasses turned out to be an ever better purchase. And who says there aren't any nice people in New York?!


Oh so pretty!

I then continued to have a very successful shopping day. 2 dresses, shirts, 2 bathing suits, and a pair of shorts later I was done! To make the experience even better I was able to spend the day shopping with my dear friend Lauren (who I have known since Kindergarten - how many people can say that?). We had a great time!


My beach hat for Belize! I love it!

Sunday = relaxation. Nick had a group meeting in the afternoon. It was such a nice day I suggested we grab some lunch and make a picnic of it in Central Park.

We grabbed lunch from Mitchell London (64th and Madison). It's a great take out lunch spot. Fresh cooked food - a little pricey but well worth it. Once we got our food we headed to a grassy area in front of the pond that has the sail boats.

There wasn't too many people there yet but it was just a matter of time before everyone started to arrive. It was just too nice of a day to spend indoors. We pretty much ate our lunch and then spread out on the blanket and read our books.

It was so peaceful and really quite nice to just lay there with Nick. I decided that would be a new "thing" for us. It really was a great way to spend the early afternoon! Hopefully many more to come!


Our wonderful lunch. Yummy!


Nick seems to be adverse to having his picture taken... at least lately. I was able to get a quick one - I think it turned out pretty well. He's such a cutie!


And Me!