To Matt. For his birthday.

Everyone knows that your birthday should start with breakfast in bed. 

And that balloons should be present. Maybe even an official "birthday chair." 

Complete with gifts and cards from people who love you.

And don't forget to wear your cool Ray Charles solar viewing glasses. 

And what birthday celebration isn't complete without a jello cake covered with cool whip, candles, and dinosaurs? 

Happy Birthday, Matt. 

Officially a Master!

That's right, folks. I am done with my Master's program at NYU! 

This means a couple of things:

1) Matt and I will no longer live on opposite coasts.  

2) After a total of 10 years spent in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, my time on the east coast is over.

Graduations are always filled with pomp and circumstance but graduation ceremonies at NYU certainly have their own unique flair. 

For example, how many people do you know who have graduated in Yankee stadium? 

NYU's general graduation was held here...it was pretty crazy. 

But definitely an experience that I will remember. 

The graduation for my specific program was more intimate...or (as Matt so aptly described it) much more "human." 

It was held in a beautiful theater in New York City. 

Me crossing the stage!

Me rocking the purple robe and turquoise hood. Aw yeah. 

The family...

I was pretty eager to get that hot gown off...and removed it as soon as Matt would let me.

Taking advantage of my family being in town to take a rare taxi cab ride. 

Wearing a graduation present from my mother and father-in-law. Thanks, you two...I absolutely love it!

On my way downtown to return my cap and gown. This is perhaps one of the only photos I have of me in the subway.

Thanks to everyone who was present (physically or in spirit) at my graduation. I certainly could not have finished this degree without your love and encouragement. 

I especially want to thank my parents for their endless support, my in-laws for encouraging me to "finish strong," and my friend Astrid and her mother for sheltering and caring for me these past four months.  

And, finally, I want to thank my husband. We've had a lot of adventures since we first met but living apart for the past four months has been one of the craziest. Thank you for believing in me. I love you.

85 Years Young...

As my grandmother's 85th birthday approached, my mom and her sister decided a surprise birthday dinner was in order.

We had big parties for both my grandmother and grandfather's 80th birthdays, but turning 85 years old is definitely worth celebrating. 

My mom decided on the location of the dinner, a German-style restaurant in Anaheim called Jagerhaus. I highly recommend it to those of you out there who are fans of Dutch or German food. It was GOOD. 

My aunt and her husband were in charge of luring my grandparents to this location (under the pretense of shopping at a nearby German store). 

I was therefore designated as the decorator for the birthday dinner. I love doing this kind of thing! 

The first thing I did was pick a color scheme- pink, white, and green. The rest came about organically.

I picked pink flowers...

And white flowers...

I also use Martha Stewart craft punches (kind of like this one) to decorate pink and green paper bags.

The party favor bags held sugar cookies (one of my grandmother's favorites) that were cut into "spring" shapes. 

  

 Once we got to the restaurant,  I used pink, white, and green balloons to decorate our booth. 

Then I set up the party favor bags...

 Added a few finishing touches...

And Voila! All that was left to do was wait for the birthday girl...

We took turns standing watch.

At some point, it became a two-person job.

My grand mother was very touched by the party.

 She was surrounded by good food...

...and some of the people who love her the most in the world.

 Happy Birthday, Oma! We love you!

Reunited!

I have been home with Matt in California for the last week or so. It's been wonderful...so glad to spend some time with the husband. 

Also, Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Matt and I are having a St. Patty's Day shindig at our place this afternoon, so stay tuned for some upcoming photos about the day's festivities. 

My Huckleberry Friend

As many of you know, Matt and I currently have a bi-coastal relationship. He started his new position in California back in January and I am finishing up grad school in New York. 

During this time on opposite coasts, I am living with one of my best friends (here's looking at you, A-Rod) and her amazing mom. 

We've been able to have late-night talks and girls outings to NYC...and I have been spoiled silly by my friend's momma (let's just say I haven't cooked ONCE since my arrival).

So there are definite blessings that have come out of this period of separation.

But, still, it's hard to be apart. 

Sometimes, I am asked the question, "How did you know that Matt was the one?" 

 

And while the most profound answer to that question would take some time to explain, one of the less complex, but still very truthful, responses is that Matt and I are partners in adventure. 

We have been since the very beginning of our relationship.

Sometimes, our ideas of adventure look a bit different.

But that's ok. Most of the time, our visions overlap very nicely. 

There are lyrics from a song I love that go something like this:

Moon River, wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style someday

Oh, dreammaker 

You heartbreaker

Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world

There's such a lot of world to see 

We're after the same rainbow's end

Waiting 'round the bend

My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me

Missing you, my huckleberry friend.