Bucket List

We spent this weekend in NYC to celebrate my mom's 60th bday (oh, and my 26th). Sure, I got to go along, but the real impetus was for mom to check a dream off her bucket list to commemorate this big bday.

What did we check off, you ask?

Her dream, the one thing in all the world she wanted to do to celebrate her birthday? See the ROCKETTES.

here

Hey, we all have our things, right? That was my general attitude leading up to the trip. But after seeing them - these beautiful, dancing dolls - my one conclusion: WOW.

The rockettes are amazing, y'all - and not just in a retro "wow, look at that" way. No. I have seen ballerinas. I have seen modern dance troupes. Jeez, I've even been in STEP dance troupe. And never have I seen such precision, such total control and exactness in dance. It was artistry. Sure, it was dolled up with some cheesy fun - Santa was involved, as well as 3D glasses. But nothing could overshadow that amazing dancing.

This was pretty surreal...

Except maybe the look on my mom's face as she clapped and cheered each impressive scene. Watching someone check one off the bucket-list? Also pretty fabulous.

Other general observations about NYC:

here

• The YOTEL is a trip - mini cabin rooms, everything automated - from the bed to the check-in and the robotic luggage storage center... in all honesty, probably way to hip for us (we were turned away from the "club" area and we giggled at the all-to-hip elevator tunes - but it was a definite experience. For uber stark luxury, try the Andaz New York, where the 'rents stayed. Also an experience.
• Thanks to HB's recommendation, we hit the Christmas Market at Union Square. Awesome - best shopping I've done in NYC so far.

• I need to spend a week in the MET - too much art, too little time. The musical instrument display was particularly neat, as was pretending to be Harry and Sally in the Egyptian temple room.

• Fifth Avenue in December is disgusting. The mass of humanity,coupled with the live, semi-naked models in Hollister and the general stench of overcooked Middle Eastern street-food = time for me to find a quiet bar and a tall drink.
• Seeing old friends is the best thing, especially around Christmas.
• NYC is a great place to visit, but I sure as heck couldn't live there....:)

Brag Time

Ok, all. I have to brag a bit on my mama... she's all grown up and writing a blog!

Yes, after several hours of training at the kitchen table she's learned how to post pictures, publish and promote a blog! She's recording her month-long trip to Paris and her mission to learn EVERYTHING about the experience of the heroes of the American Revolution (think Jefferson, Franklin, Washington) in Paris. You'd be surprised how much of a connection there is ... check it out here.

If you've ever wanted to know TJ's favorite wine, where the Marquis de Lafayette educated Marie Antoinette about the American "insurgents," or where Ben Franklin misbehaved (he was a scoundrel!) check out Pursuing Patriots in Paris. Go Mom!

Love

With Valentine's approaching, everyone is thinking about their crushes, boy/girl friends or spouses.

 But this year, my Valentine is going to be my mom.

Don't worry, I still love The Boy as much as ever --- but recent events have made me all the more aware how much I love my mom and how I would be absolutely lost without her, even though I daily realize how much of her is in me (the love of presentation, the slightly overbearing need to help, the talking to strangers in the supermarket...)

Mom always made Valentine's day special at our house growing up. Like most holidays, I'd get a themed pair of socks and other fun little gifts. Even though I never had a real (boy) Valentine, it was a fun day to celebrate with my family.

So now, bear with me as I write this -- my Valentine to my mom:

Mom, for-

Holding my hand when we rode home from school

Believing in the importance of celebrating

Telling me to loosen up and get a B

Teaching me to love clothes -- and a good bargain

Not laughing when that led to me buying suede platforms and wearing them in public

Being a bleeding-heart animal lover

Tucking me in long after it was normal

Showing me Paris, and a million other amazing places

Never sheltering me from the world, but teaching me how to deal with sorrow and injustice

Sharing that the cure for a hangover is Sprite and a cold pillow/floor

Giving me an out whenever I couldn't say "I don't want to do that" to my friends

Encouraging me to be a strong, independent woman

Listening to me endlessly evaluate the decisions I needed to make to become one

Reminding me that life isn't fair, but I should be

Mothering my friends and my boyfriend -- they love you so much!

Loving me, and Dad and the cat, hard, and fast and so strong it sometimes takes my breath away.

Thank you.

I love you.

* all pictures via Pinterest.