Having a Classy...

marziale:

1. Animal Collective, “My Girls”
2. Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”
3. Phoenix, “1901”
4. Grizzly Bear, “Two Weeks”
5. Jay-Z feat. Beyonce, “Empire State of Mind”
6. Dirty Projectors, “Stillness is the Move”
7. The xx, “Crystalised”
8. Mariah Carey feat. Gucci Mane, “Obsessed (Remix)”
9. Florence and the Machine, “Dogs Days Are Over”
10. St. Vincent, “Actor Out of Work”
11. Girls, “Lust For Life”
12. YACHT, “Psychic City (Voodoo City)”
13. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Heads Will Roll”
14. Here We Go Magic, “Fangela”
15. Yeasayer, “Tight Rope”
16. Passion Pit, “Moth’s Wings”
17. Fever Ray, “Seven”
18. Jason Derulo, “Watcha Say”
19. Royksopp feat. Robyn, “The Girl and the Robot”
20. Miley Cyrus, “Party in the USA”

Things that have popped into my head on this loooonnnggg Monday…

1. I miss Daniella. I miss a lot of people, living out here in the wild, wild West. But today I am really, really missing Daniella. I was in such a rush to leave Gainesville and start my new life that we did not get a proper goodbye. I spent 3 years of my life sharing a roof with that green-eyed Colombian and I still find myself turning around to talk to her. The time-difference between Riverside and Seoul, Korea is practically impossible to navigate and we rarely speak. This makes me uncomfortable.

2. Rosa is coming this week! I am paralyzed by excitement and starting to feel all kinds of nerves, stress. I need to clean and do laundry and stock the refrigerator and bar. I need to find guest sheets and towels and wash my hair and perform voodoo spells on the massive second-head (aka pimple) that is forming on my chin. Typical. There is so much planning to do, so much fun to be had. I cannot wait for my Rosita to meet Mr. Renaud…will resemble in my mind, at least, the Clash of the Titans.

3. Champagne and I do not get along. Whiskey is a dear friend but apparently something as seemingly light and bubbly as champagne wrecks me. Does. Not. Compute.

4. I am establishing a formal list of goals for 2010. It promises to be a busy, busy and incredibly exciting, eventful year. I want to be organized. I crave adventure. I want to save money. I would like to travel. I want to devote more time to reading and to yoga. I want a “unstuffy” yet elegant wedding where the whiskey flows, the party is bumping and our guests walk away feeling like they were in the presence of love.

5. I cannot wait to try this recipe: Broccoli-Quinoa YUM!

…oh yes, oh yes, oh yes*

*This is one of those bizarre inside jokes that develops within a family. They don’t tend to make much sense to those outside of the unit but they bring comfort and are imbued with a sense of tradition to those on the “inside.” The title of this post comes from a Koernig family song we all start singing upon the first sign of the season. There is a dance (God help us) to accompany this simple little tune and to me, it has come to represent the holiday in a small (yet important) way.

This is my first Christmas without my parents and sister. I am not big on this holiday; I am not religious and find that much of the focus has shifted from the spirit of the season, giving and the prospect of peace, to a hyper-commercialized, material emphasis. You’ve heard this all before. However, when it came time to discuss our Christmas celebration/plans, Anthony and I both leaned toward tradition. We have a tree. We hung stockings by the window unit AC with care, in hopes our Christmas bonuses soon would be (t)here (clever, huh?) I’ve realized that, despite the “uglier” side of Christmas, there is something beautiful about a holiday that emphasizes family, a holiday whose attendant symbols stand to remind us of the best in one another—generosity, thoughtfulness, the support that comes from family, however you define it.

As I type this, my mascara might be running because I miss those that raised me, those that know my past. But I look up and see the one that is learning me, that represents the promise of my future and I feel peace.

So no, I don’t particularly like Christmas music (SO REPETITIOUS) and gingerbread makes my stomach ache but the glimmering lights of our tree and the shining prospect of new traditions make this Christmas very special. I would love to be spending tomorrow in the Sunshine state, helping my Mom wrap gifts or reading “A Christmas Carol” to William and Philip but I also look forward to surprising my Anthony, to cooking a delicious meal and doing my damnedest to honor my past, our future and whatever lies ahead.

May your Christmas be filled with good food and conversation, love and your very own inside jokes.

Love to you.

…Christmas is coming, in case you were not aware. Much of our weekend was spent working on Christmas-related things. I felt like a spy during specific moments, running about, hiding purchases, texting secrets. Lots of whispering on Brockton avenue.

Miss Shrimply (which has evolved from a casual nickname to the cats perma-name,) is still sick but is getting better. We now own cat furniture (I cringe) and toys and stress about cat vitamins. We are officially THOSE people. It happens. I could no longer tolerate her sick/pound scent and gingerly (ever so gingerly) gave her a bath. She’d previously exhibited curiosity when it came to water, faucets, showers, etc. The bath: TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY. She was not pleased. But she does smell 194352454352X better and she was showered with treats and cuddling so all was fine in the world of Shrimply.

I woke up Saturday morning with a start, realizing I had not baked Mr. Anthony a cake for his birthday. «slaps forehead» The poor boy did not get to hear me sing off-key nor did he get to enjoy any kind of sugary-goodness on the date of his birth—that is not ok. So the boy got a red velvet cake. A damn good red velvet cake. Made with the most complicated recipe known to man in the darling KitchenAid.

That was, more or less, our weekend. Throw in a failed Chicago-style pizza recipe, a viewing of Home Alone, some red wine and lots of driving and you have the complete picture. Sounds fun, huh?

…arrived on our doorstep today.

A robin’s egg blue Kitchen-Aid mixer is officially ours! A descendent from a long line of bakers, this is truly magnificent—I am over-the-moon. I am also marrying into a family of bakers (looking at you, Karen) who recognize the value of this wondrous appliance. Mr. and Mrs. Renaud have generously gifted Anthony and I this beauty and I am beyond grateful. Photos of our baby are on the way.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Dearest tumblr,

I’ve missed you. I’m sorry that I’ve neglected you…it is said that life is a balancing act and I have terrible equilibrium. I’m learning. The best part about you, lovely tumblr, is that I know you understand. I know that you will be here, waiting to listen when I can “come back” and give you the attention you deserve.

I have so much to share with you: treasures, photos, stories, ideas. Be patient with me and I will do my best to make sure it was worth the wait/your time.

Don’t give up on us, baby…

Always,

V