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.