Going Away Karaoke

Ok, so we had quite a weekend. I'll start with the good news now:

Saturday was the going away party for me, Jay, and Jessma (who is moving to San Francisco the same time Jay and I are moving to LA.)

We had a nice dinner at our apartment, and found out that my friends decided instead of buying us a going away present, they are flying to LA for New Year's!!! I'm really excited that I get to see them so soon after we move. We'll do a group call to wish Kylie a happy birthday...

After that we went to a bar in the East Village for a few hours, and then headed over to a karaoke bar, where we reserved a private karaoke room. We stayed for five hours and had one of the best nights I've ever had in New York. We sang A LOT: Boo and I dueted on "Fancy" by Reba Mcentire (she sang the part of Fancy and I sang the part of Mama), Jay sang "Bust a Move", and by the end of the night we were all singing "We Built This City on Rock and Roll" with our shirts off.

Frank Lloyd Wright

For the last few months, I've been getting very interested in Frank Lloyd Wright. I especially love his architecture of American homes, and so, inevitably, Jay has been hearing a lot about him. Jay even waited in line for an hour with me to see a Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum. He's a good boyfriend!

I got a big package in the mail this morning and opened it up to find a big, heavy, coffee table book that has hundreds of beautiful photographs of Frank Lloyd Wright houses and essays by architecture scholars. Jay sent it to me out of the blue! He didn't even wait for my birthday!

I just want to tell him, via this incredibly public blog, that I love it and I love him. Thanks Jay!

Upstate!

Jay and I are upstate for the week in his childhood town of Whitesboro, NY. As faithful readers of this blog may remember, we went last summer too. This time, however, we are traveling in style:



That's Jay driving our cute silver CONVERTIBLE!



Today we went to the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in downtown Utica, NY. We saw some great stuff! Part of the art museum is in a big mansion that the rich people who started the museum used to live in. We found out that 60% of the museum's operating budget is from the original money they left in their will 150 years ago!

Here's a map of Whitesboro:


School is about to start here in New York and it is making me think of Kylie starting kindergarten. I'm so happy she's doing so well and enjoying it so much!

The weather here is crazy. 40 degrees in the morning and 77 during the day. It is clear and sunny and beautiful. Tomorrow we are going to Fort Stanwix, which is an old Revolutionary War fort. One of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War (the Battle of Oriskany) was fought in the next town! I love that history. When Jay and I travel cross country to LA, I'm pushing to include a stop at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. Amy--I'll send you a postcard! :) Jay is pushing to stop at Sonic Burger.

Jay's New Job!

I have good news--Jay got a new job! Since Jay hasn't told all his coworkers yet, (and since this blog gets HEAVY traffic) I won't say exactly what the job is (but the show rhymes with Blarry King Live).



I'm so proud of him, because he worked really hard and went on a lot of interviews to get this job. And I'm so happy that he'll get off work at 7! We can actually have dinner together. And this means that we'll be moving to LA with at least one of us having a job.

Lake Winnipesaukee

Every other year, my New York friends and I road trip up to New Hampshire for a long weekend at TJ's parent's lake house. This last weekend was our third trip, and it was such a great weekend.

I went water skiing and got up for a long ride around the lake (a day and a half later my shoulders were so sore I couldn't twist my neck). We also found a rope swing and jumped into the water like 13 year olds. We created and competed on two obstacle courses (my team won both times!) And the rest of the time we just lied in the sun reading magazines or napping in the hammock. Jay came up for the first time, which was really nice. The lake house is such a special place to me, and I loved being there with the most special person in my life!

Here are some pictures:



The beautiful house where we stayed!



Me jumping off the boat--about to waterski.



Cute Jay!



Terri, Jessma, and Boo relaxing by the water.



TJ and I competing in the first obstacle course. Our time of 1 minute and 36 seconds would prove to be VICTORIOUS.



CANNONBALL!



Another view of the house.

We came back totally exhausted, but with a lot of new funny jokes. Most of them are "off color" and not "appropriate" for a "family blog", but trust me, it was fun.

August News

I came back on Tuesday from a really great trip home for Aidan's birthday. He reminds me so much of me when I was his age: obsessed with cars, monster trucks, and playing catch. That's what I was like when I was three, right Mom?

He is just the sweetest little boy, and I love how the only way he knows how to express his love is to lay his entire body on you and push. So cute!

Kylie is so old now I can't even stand it. I was comparing pictures of her on this trip with pictures of her from a year or two ago, and I swear, it is like Jenny and Ollie switched her out with another child, she has changed so much. We played a really fun game of "Run from the witch" which ended with her giving a monologue that went like this:

(dramatic pause) The witch.....is not a witch. (dramatic pause) The witch.....is my husband. (runs to the bed and throws herself on it dramatically) And I......am not a princess. (dramatic pause) I........am a HUMAN BEING.

I loved it! Where does she get that? Has Jenny been watching soap operas during the day?

This weekend I am going to TJ's lakehouse in New Hampshire for our traditional group trip to the lake. It is on a beautiful cove on Lake Winnipesaukee and about 14 people go for a few days and it is always a really special trip. Jay will be coming for the first time and I can't wait to show him how awesome it is. The weather looks good, too: 83 and sunny the whole weekend!

I'd also like to give a special shout out to Amy who always gently encourages me to blog (and does it by example, too! I love her blog).

Matt

Weekend in Dallas

I was able to come home this last weekend to Dallas and see the family. We had a pool party at Aunt Mad and Uncle Rob's, and I got to see almost everyone! Here is a link to the photo album I made, and one of my favorite pictures:



It was a very special trip, and I got to see how loving and wonderful my family is. They really are the best family I ever could have asked for, and I know how lucky I am.

And the best part is that I'll be back to see them again in 3 weeks!!!

More later. (I promised Amy I'd be better with updates!)

Love,
Mattie

Los Angeles, Here We Come!

That was our view from our hotel room in LA. We looked east to the Hollywood Hills. You can see the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory!

We did lots of fun stuff, and we got to ride around in a shiny white Mustang convertible that I didn't get a chance to take a proper picture of.

This is a picture of Jay drinking iced coffee and eating a (really good) jelly donut at the Farmer's Market:



This is a picture of the sunset at Venice Beach:



Here is a picture of me in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall:



Here's a picture of Jay and I with Homer and Marge Simpson, some friends we met along the way:



And here are some pictures from the top of the Griffith Observatory:





It was a great trip, despite the fender bender on the last night. I think we're gonna go back and STAY AWHILE!

Next update I'll talk about what we've been doing since then.

Hey Strangers!

Sorry for the delay in postings, Mom. I got Spring Fever. But I promised Jay if he uploaded all the pictures he's been taking of our travels and adventures lately that I would write a new blog post. Here it is!

There's a lot to cover, so I'll probably be posting over the next few days.

Today I'll post some pictures from me and Jay's trip to Austin. We went for Amber's wedding and to see my lovely family. Here are some pictures:








Oh, whoops. Those are actually just the pictures Jay has taken of himself in the last few weeks. He's so photogenic he can't help himself!

Here are the pictures from Austin:







Austin was awesome. Great hot weather, lots of family time, and a fun city to play in. Amber's wedding was in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and was really nice, and quite emotional (for me) and a pretty big deal, considering all Amber and I have been through. It was really special to me that I got to be a part of her wedding. She looked great and was so happy. I was so happy for her!

I also got to see my cutie-pies Kylie and Aidan and play with them in the park. Jay got to do some drawings of them, which is one of his specialties. We also got to hang out at Robbie and Ericka's for a bit before we left for the airport. Ericka was looking great with her little baby in her tummy! And Matt Sandlin was there, so it was good to see cousins that I don't get to see that often.

Ok, that's it for this post. Check back soon for the next part--our trip to LA!!

Strong!

I worked out for the first time yesterday. In a long time.

I feel great today! Sore but in a good way. I did some upper body work: bicep curls, chest presses, rowing for my back, and then ran 1.5 miles on the treadmill. I also did a lot of stretching, which is always one of my favorite things to do at a gym.

This is what my biceps look like today:



Today I'm going to go to a yoga class and do some leg and butt exercises. Tomorrow my butt will look like this:



I'm won't write about every workout I do from now on, but I know how much Jenny loves hearing about exercise, so I thought I'd give you all the details.

In other news, Jay and I are planning a little extended weekend vacation to LA. If we move there, we're inviting the family out for Thanksgiving--CALIFORNIA STYLE!! Mark your calendars now.

xoxo,
Matt

Reebok Sports Club

So because I work for Newsweek, I get a free week pass to a fancy gym on the upper west side: The Reebok Sports Club. I decided to kick off my 2009 Exercise Routine with a week here. I figure fancy equipment and a big pool and fluffy towels should do a good job of motivating me through the first week.

Tomorrow I'm going to take a class called Splash Cardio Fusion. It is a group class in the pool! I also want to take a class where they teach you the dances in popular music videos. And I want to BLAST MY QUADS with some free weights.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Jay and I had a nice relaxing day yesterday. I bought a spring coat (too bad it was 30 degrees this morning!) and we had a great meal at home yesterday: beet salad, roasted yams, brown rice and broccoli, and something else that i can't remember the name of (Jay? what was that?)

Back by Popular Demand!

I've had two people in the last two days ask me to start my blog again. 2 people! That's HALF of this blog's readership!

So since absolutely NOTHING has been going on in my life of any consequence, I'll fill you in on some little things I've been doing lately. I bought a new pair of jeans yesterday. Levis. I watched A STAR IS BORN (Judy Garland, not Barbra Streisand. Although I have seen that one, too). I've been cooking. Last night I made whole wheat pasta with vegetables and tomato sauce. And roasted sweet potatoes. The night before I made baked salman with quinoa and kale in a garlic lemon sauce.

Isn't this all so exciting!!??!

I haven't been reading anything lately except for Newsweek and Time magazines. But the next thing I plan on reading is John Updikes' "Run Rabbit".

I also want to see this movie. It is directed by Sam Mendes, who directed a production of Uncle Vanya when I was in London that made me cry like a baby.



I think that's it. I'm going to try to be better about posting, but please don't be mad at me if I lapse again.

I love everyone who reads this. I really do!

Matt

Disney World!

Jay and I got back last night from Disney World! It was a really really awesome trip, and I got to see why Jay loves it so much. I think Jay and I made a good team there, because we both enjoyed running from ride to ride (or "attraction" to "attraction") and we weren't afraid to elbow little children and elderly couples out of the way in order to be first in line.

The first day we spent the whole day at Magic Kingdom. So fun! Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Moutain Railroad (there are lots of mountains in Disney World). An unexpected favorite was the Winnie the Pooh ride. I also really liked the Carousel of Progress, and Stitch's Big Escape. Unfortunately, the Hall of Presidents was closed (maybe to make room for a certain new President?)



The next day we did Hollywood Studios (used to be called Disney-MGM Studios) and Epcot. At Hollywood Studios, we did the Tower of Terror (so fun!), the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster, and the Muppets 3D movie (we loved this one! They spray water on you in the theater!) The only ride that made me sick was the Star Wars ride. That ride sucked.



At Epcot we searched for a hot dog for Jay (this was a major part of the day) and then went to see the World Showcase. Jay bought some french fries and as he was walking away from the stand, a seagull hit him in the head and knocked the fries out of his hands. Then about 20 birds all swooped down and picked the fries clean in about 10 seconds. Jay was traumatized, but luckily got another thing of fries.

That night we met his friends Colleen and Andrew and their two kids who live nearby. We went on Test Track (which was a really fun car racing ride) and Soarin', which was like hang gliding over California (when you go through the pine forests, they pipe in the smell of pine!) It was amazing.



The next day we went to Animal Kingdom, the newest Disney park. They just opened a new roller coaster, Expedition Everest, so we went on that. Really fun! You go backwards in the dark! Scary. They also have a ride called Dinosaur! which is also scary. You are racing through the dark in a car and dinosaurs jump out at you and scare you. At one point, a scary dinosaur popped out and made a REALLY loud sound and they took a picture of your car right when it happened. So when you get out at the end, you see the face you made. I was horrified!!!! (Jay looked bored).

This trip was really fun, and made me a fan of Disney World for life. I can't wait to go again with you guys!

Also, a special note to Kylie and Aidan:

While in the Magic Kingdom, I was walking near Cinderella's castle, and I ran into Cinderella and Mickey Mouse. They gave me some presents and told me to give them to Kylie and Aidan. So I held on to them and the next time I see them, I'm going to surprise them with it.

Cinderella, by the way, is very beautiful, and Mickey Mouse is very handsome (for a mouse). They were very nice and sprinkled magic fairy dust and me and Jay!!

Travel!!!

The next few weeks are going to be crazy. On Friday, I am going with Jordan and his mom to visit Yale for their Visitor's Day. Then on Saturday morning, Jay and I leave for Disneyworld for 4 days! We are very excited, and the weather looks great. I haven't been since I was in the third grade, so it will all be very new to me. Jay's going to be a good tour guide though, because he's been a couple of times (and by "a couple" I mean 13).

Then after we get back to New York, we are going to travel up to Providence, RI to visit Brown and see one of the student-directed shows there. We come back on Friday and the next morning we leave for Austin for Megan and Dusty's wedding.

Crazy!

I'm not complaining about the hectic schedule, though, because I had a very relaxing Thanksgiving. Jay and Jessma and I watched the Macy's Parade from my office window (it overlooks the parade route), which was kind of fun, but also a tiny bit boring. I mean, we just sat in a silent office with a few of my coworkers and watched the balloons get closer. I don't know why I thought it would be really exciting.

Then we went up to our friend Amanda's place and she cooked the most amazing Thanksgiving meal for us. Then for the rest of the weekend, I did nothing but go see movies and watch DVD's of MAD MEN. (Which, by the way, is an excellent show and I encourage all of you to watch it).

Best Birthday Ever!!!

The moment Jenny and Cindy walked in.

So Jay and my family managed to completely surprise me this year. I thought I had an idea of what was going on, but I was just clueless. And what they did made me feel more loved than I've ever felt before.

After a day of shopping and seeing a movie, Jay and I headed over to Geo and Jordan's for what I thought was going to be a relaxing dinner party. I walk in and see a bunch of people I love, and I probably should have been tipped off by all the cameras going off (it was like the paparazzi in there), but I just thought everyone wanted to have something to put up for Facebook on Monday. But then they sit me down in a big chair (with a gorgeous lit up sign behind it) and tell me they are going to "roast" me. I'd mentioned to Jay months ago that I think I would enjoy being roasted, and well, he made it happen. People are telling stories and laughing, but there is definitely a weird energy in the room. Terri and Jay keep getting up to leave, and everyone's eyes are darting around, but I'm too overwhelmed to even think about it.

After a story by Noah and Geo, I hear "I've got a story!" and I look up and Cindy and Jenny are walking into the room. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. I was sooooo shocked to see them. I stood up to hug them and the waterworks started. For the next 5 minutes, as they told a couple embarrassing stories (me making Cindy do the sign of the cross before entering my bedroom, Jenny saving my life after I choked on a chocolate covered cherry), I tried to wrap my brain around what was happening. Then Mom and Dad walked in! And I started crying again. They showed an amazing slideshow and I laughed and smiled for the rest of the night.

Then last night I got another present from Jay--a hardcover book with pictures and stories from all the people I love in my life. I want to carry it around in my bag and read it all day long but I'm afraid of hurting it. So I'm going to put it next to my bed and read it every night before I go to sleep, so I'll have nice dreams.

I can't even explain what this birthday felt like--totally overwhelming and beautiful and happy. And all possible because of my boyfriend and family. It was the best gift I've ever gotten--being able to understand how loved I am by the people I love so much.

Food Network

Jay has been obsessed with the Food Network lately. This weekend he watched quite a bit and it was funny to hear him talk about what he was going to make for dinner. It changed every thirty minutes. First it was stuffing and mashed potatoes (they had a Thanksgiving special on). Then it was baked ziti (there was a special about an Italian restaurant). I got nervous when Paula Dean's show came on because on that episode, everything was fried (including fried pumpkin cake!) By the end of the weekend, Jay told me he wanted a deep fryer for Christmas.

(Also, i think it is funny that Jenny and Amy write funny stories about things that their kids say and I write stories about things that Jay says. He's my baby!)

Jay

From Boston 9/08

Jay and I were reading Jenny's blog last night before bed, and he asked me when I was going to write a post about him, like Jenny's recent post about Ollie. She's very proud of him for working so hard to train for the marathon, so Jay suggested I start my post with "Jay wakes up every morning bright and early at 9:30 on the dot, then walks across the street to get coffee..."

He was joking, but I want him to know that I AM very proud of him. (He's going to get all bashful when he reads this, but it is true). He works very hard at his job, and stays there most nights til after most people have already gone to bed. He's a really, really, really good producer, and has earned the respect of people very high up at CNN.

One of my favorite stories he did was about children with autism. His story made a real difference in people's lives, and he got responses from people whose lives were literally changed because of his piece.

He's also taking me to Disneyworld in 3 weeks, which makes him the BEST BOYFRIEND EVER!

It Happened

I have said a couple times that I wanted to keep this blog politics-free, but who am I kidding?

Tuesday and Wednesday were a roller coaster, to say the least. Tuesday was the culmination of a long journey that Barack Obama and I took together, starting in early 2007. I still remember the day of the Iowa caucus. I got my Obama T-shirt in the mail that day, and was at a meeting at Geo and Jordan's apartment when the results came in and I kept checking the NYTimes website. It felt too good to be true that he won.

On Tuesday, I was in shock and overwhelmed with emotion that it happened. I didn't think our country would ever elect someone that I supported. Every election I've voted in, I've lost. And that just reinforced my feelings of "otherness" here. Seeing politicians use gay people as weapons and pariahs in order to inflame anger and fear in voters has become second-nature to me. I felt like such a minority, especially with 8 years of leadership from an administration that wanted to change the Constitution in order to leave me out of it.

But to have Obama elected, and to have him include the word "gay" in his acceptance speech, felt like someone was lifting me up and putting me at the table with the rest of the country. I can't really overstate the importance of that moment for me.

Which is why on Wednesday morning, hearing the news that Proposition 8 passed, I felt exhausted more than anything. Maybe it was too much to ask for us to come this far in only a few short years. But getting so close and then having a hugely symbolic door slammed in our face was very tough. It has certainly tempered my excitement over our new President. I have made my peace with the fact that Obama and the rest of the Democrats can't fight this fight for me. Gay marriage is not something I can ask someone else to give me. We have to do it ourselves. We have to be visible, and unapologetic, and not take no for an answer. And we'll get there. But for now, as I get ready to enter my 30's, and think thoughts of settling down, and securing a future, and maybe even starting a family someday, I have to understand that I'll probably be doing that without the approval or support of my country.

But I do have my family. Which, at the end of the day, is what matters most.

(I love you guys!)

Election Day!

My favorite day! I voted on the way to work at a Catholic school near my apartment. There was a 45 minute line! I've never waited in line to vote before. But it felt really good to pull the lever. I'll be at my apartment hosting a TV watching party tonight, and I took tomorrow off because this only happens 4 years, and it means a lot to me, so I thought it would be nice to take some time off to reflect on what it means. Due to the bipartisan nature of this blog, I'll leave it up to you to guess who I Baracked the vote for.

Halloween!!

This year I am going as Abraham Lincoln for Halloween. It is so easy! You just put on a top hat, dress in a black suit and tie the tie up funny, and shave off your mustache but keep the rest of your beard. And you are done! This year Lincoln will be wearing a Barack Obama pin on his lapel, because let's not kid ourselves...we know who Lincoln would be voting for.

Tonight Geo and Jordan are hosting a pumpkin carving party to get their apartment ready for tomorrow. And last night Jay got an ice cream maker from work as a gift. He got to pick it out of a catalogue. I've never seen anyone so excited about something! When the ice cream was in the machine, he kept looking at me and opening his eyes really big and scrunching his shoulders up. He couldn't wait!

I've been meaning to put up pictures from our camping trip awhile back. And I also scanned in some old pictures from college. We were all so young! I'll put those up too.

I'm putting together the pieces for my grad school application, and it is going well. If anyone has any strong opinions about RICHARD II and wants to give me feedback on my approach paper, let me know!