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International exchange

I think I’ve mentioned before that I am on a website that allows you to communicate with “penpals” from other countries in an effort to learn about cultures and practice various language skills. One French girl I communicate with encouraged asking each other what is “weird” about our respective cultures. I wrote her and asked for her view on the U.S.! Her response was precious:

“Yes i was in US (NY, Brooklyn) for a month and a half during end of May, June and July. And NY is a crazy city. I am in love with that city.

What was crazy ? Haha you’ll not believe me but two people propose me to married, have american nationality and see if we will want to have a future. BUT in my head it was the contrary haha,  first you know the person and after you marry him haha (of course if you like him)

Hmmm Cotsco is BIG and crazy for us. I also saw Diet Burger haha.

I was near sunset park (*I think she means Central Park*) and there was asian people who practiced tai chi, juwish was running in suit, Porto Rican people was with their kids playing or eating food (smell so good) and at night every old guy of all nationality played chest together.
In that moment, i realized that i can see that, only in NY.

I was very happy to live in that area.”

I’m not even from New York and this oddly makes me kinda proud!

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Beautiful Beautiful Day Out!

Today is one of those perfect, sunny, energized days when I really wish we had a porch or a patio (if not more outdoor things to do around here in general.) It’s 70 degrees and 100% cloud-free outside, and there’s no way to enjoy it. We already went for a long walk around the neighborhood. It was glorious.

In NC, I had my little patio out back, with our crappy little lawn chairs and a lattice cover and a fenced yard where the Bean and I could bask and relax in the fresh air and sunshine. Friends nearby had adorable front porches with rocking chairs, where we could sip wine and people watch from a safe distance. We don’t have either here in GA, and our “back yard” is about 10 feet from the windows of another house…awkward. 

Someone  with a better setup than ours needs to host a football BBQ or something!

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Child: *Points to Beware of Zombie sign on our door* Are there zombies in your house?
Me: *Taken aback that child is addressing me* Why yes – this house is full of zombies, so be careful.
Child: I wanna see.
Me: Umm. Well if they see you they will eat you. *Pats self on back for remembering that’s how zombies operate*
Child: I wanna see!
Me: But they’ll eat you…
Child: I WANNA SEE!
Me: *Shuffles uncomfortably* Well, we don’t want to be held liable if you get eaten, kid…
*Child rolls eyes*
I am so terrible with children. And keeping the magic alive. And zombies.

Phew!! Another successful and beautiful wedding weekend done! I didn’t get quite as many pictures of the wedding itself due to bridesmaid duties, but it was a serene and gorgeous ceremony at the Mission San Luis in Tallahassee. Alex was remarkably calm, considering she doesn’t like a lot of fanfare and attention. 🙂 She was a literally SPARKLING bride! She and David are just adorable together.

But ohhh boy… as anticipated, I have been sick all week. I knew pulling off 3 weddings in a week would likely do me in, so I’m not complaining. I’m just glad it hit AFTER they were all over! But I’m not quite finished yet. Chuck and I are off to DC next weekend for one of his best friend’s weddings. I’m out of dresses (kinda) so I decided to do Rent the Runway. Always a treat! Let’s hope it looks good on me 🙂

My old Roomie is famous!

This is How You Say Goodbye: A Daughter’s Memoir

“A razor-sharp memoir in which a young woman travels to Cambodia, Stockholm, and Paris to overcome the legacy of her difficult and charismatic father.”

My blast-from-the-past roommate at Oxford wrote a book! It’s a compelling, witty, and emotional memoir/travelogue about coming to terms with her father’s death from AIDS when she was a child. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a good and thoughtful read this fall!

My old Roomie is famous!