Day 46 {Sunday Soccer Siesta}

A late morning swim in the courtyard was cut short by rain. Then it was back to the hotel room to watch one heck of a battle by the US women vs. Japan. It wasn't the outcome we were hoping for, but it was still a good game.

After the intense game I had to unwind with a Landshark at Margaritaville and a walk around Jackson Square. What a beautiful city!

45.2

 Hydrating and packing all my books. 

One very large box to fit all the grad school books I decided to keep and three boxes half-filled with books (I thought I'd be nice to our movers.)

Day 45 {NOLA}

We successfully arrived in the Big Easy this morning.

Two words: Fruit Ninja. Most addicting iPod game ever. It was the perfect way to waste time (and look utterly ridiculous) on the flight.

Jackson Square Park and St. Louis Cathedral.

Cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe Du Monde. I was in love.

Day 44 {Vacation Eve}

At home for an evening before we leave for New Orleans tomorrow at...wait for it...can you handle this? Because I can't. 4:30 am. Yikes!!!! Goodnight, y'all!

44.2

Today we got out at noon because the "World's Largest Block Party" was being set up right outside my office.

43.2

Harry Potter Double Feature - TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!

 Part I at 9p.m. and Part II (in 3D) at midnight.

I must admit that I feel as though a bit of my childhood has passed away.

Packing on Day 43

I leave for New Orleans bright and early on Saturday morning!

Tonight I finished packing. And I noticed an airport tag on my suitcase -- emphasis on my suitcase -- from DFW, which I took to mean Dallas-Fort Worth. I myself have never flown to Dallas...I've only driven through on I-35 and feared for my life (and I was just a passenger). So it appears that my parental unit hijacked my suitcase without my knowledge. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

P.S. My book bag = my second passport book. Patches from every country I've visited.

My friends and their band, Great Gray Buildings playing at the Beat Kitchen. 

Day 42 (USWNT!!!)

Dear Abby Wambach,

You are my hero (again).

Yes, I realize that I didn't actually take this photograph (what I would give to be in Germany right now!!!), but all I've done today is work, watch soccer, and run. So you're getting this awesome photo of Abby Wambach celebrating her goal in the USWNT's 3-1 victory over France. They're going to the final! Well done, ladies. Now, I promise I won't blog about soccer until Sunday.

41.2

Can you tell we're moving soon??

Deepest, Darkest Secrets on Day 41

Do I have your attention/do you think you can handle this?

I feel like y'all know me well enough after a year of this blog that I can reveal to you one of deepest, darkest secrets. This is serious business. I still have a stuffed bear on my bed. I got him when I was four. His name is Happy, and he is pretty awesome. He's gotten me through some hard times, and I've put him through the wash/hung him out to dry (literally). And today, during an existential crisis he made the perfect pillow. So now you know.

40.2

 A morning storm came in so quick and surprised us all. Metra, the L, and the roads were a mess! Thankfully, I carry a mini umbrella with me all the time and made it on the train before the worst of it.

Day 40 = Pancakes!!!

Making banana pancakes. With extra bananas on the side. Just like the Jack Johnson song.

I made these babies from scratch. Look out Aunt Jemima! I know this seems like a small accomplishment, but when your mere presence in the kitchen can make things go awry, this was no small culinary feat. Too bad I made so many I've eaten them for every meal today.

39.2

Boys and girls, today's word of the day is indulgence. 

 Foster Beach.

 Roscoe Village Burger Fest - though I partook in a giant funnel cake and a pina colada.

Yea, summer!!!

Poetic Justice on Day 39

Please excuse me while I start writing a masters thesis on today's FIFA Women's World Cup soccer game between the USA and Brazil. I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but I'm just so excited! If you don't want to read my review/commentary of the game, just stop reading now.

Let me begin by saying that I am speechless. Words cannot even begin to describe the varying emotions of this game. Rivalry. Nostalgia. Bitterness. Anger. Fear. Desperation. Perseverance. Anxiousness. More perseverance. And joy.

The U.S. went up 1-0 early on an own goal, but that was about the only luck they got during the whole game. In the second half, Buehler was given a red card on a questionable call in the box. Hope Solo was in goal defending the penalty kick and had a beautiful save, only for the referee to issue a re-kick, saying that Solo was off her line (which isn't true...watch the replay). And of course Marta converted her try at the penalty kick to even the score. It was a whole new game and the U.S. were playing a woman down. Next questionable call (or lack thereof): Marta's goal off a cross from Maurine who was clearly offside. The officials had lost the plot of the game in Dresden. When you walk off the pitch/field/court in whatever sport you're playing you want to feel like you won the game. Or you lost the game. Based on your own merits. And these officials inserted themselves into the game against the United States. But in the 122nd minute, the unexpected happened. Just when it looked like the USWNT would be making their earliest exit from the World Cup in history, Megan Rapinoe played a beautiful ball to Abby Wambach who scored on a header. The game was going into penalty kicks. Here, Hope Solo got the poetic justice she deserved (in more ways than one) as she had the most beautiful save. All in all, the women won 5-3 in penalties. And to make it even better -- 12 years ago today, Brandi Chastain hit that memorable PK of her own to give the UWNT their 2nd World Cup. Never before has a soccer game made me cry tears of joy...until today.

38.2

Carrie came to visit and we went to Andersonville; we found a brunch place that served mimosas on the house! 

Then we explored my new neighborhood and found some awesome new stores.

We ended our day by having drinks with friends from home at the top of the John Hancock building. My life is generally not this exciting (or extravagant!).  Goodness!

Day 38 {Human Interaction}

Much needed human interaction:

Coffee date...

...that turned into a spontaneous afternoon by the pool...

...and evening in my hometown.

37.2

I'm channelling my friend's green thumb when it comes to window sill plants. 

Annoyed on Day 37

*

Ever heard of the blog Dear Girls Above Me? I'm seriously starting to consider writing one called Dear Guys Above Me.

Dear Guys Above Me, If my ceiling doesn't collapse by the end of the summer from your incessant clomping at all hours of the day and/or night I will be pleasantly surprised.

*That's my ceiling in case you were wondering. Of my underground apartment. I can't wait till August when I won't have anyone living above me!

Day 36 (Sweet Tooth Thursday)

Making homemade ice cream sandwiches...what a good way to spend part of my evening!

36.2

Farmers Market pizza - yes, please!

35.2

I love my Nalgene water bottle.

Day 35 (Picnicking)

time is a tree (this life one leaf)

-- from e.e. cummings' "As Freedom is a Breakfast Food"

Up & At 'Em Early on Day 34

I left my house at 6:30 am. It was seriously hard to do after a wonderful week at home.

Especially on a beautiful day like today.

But now I'm back in my apartment and bored out of my mind.

On the upside, I did give myself a French manicure (I'm more ambidextrous than I initially thought), discovered that I'm obsessed with bilingual indie movies, and found some new music to add to my summer soundtrack.

34.2

Ice cream and Myopic Books in the distance. 

Day 33 (Committee on Un-American Activities)

French silk pie with French silk ice cream. Add to that spending the day reading Sherlock Holmes stories and eating Italian for dinner. Could I be anymore un-American on Independence Day?

I think I may have redeemed myself by playing hillbilly golf in the backyard. I had to take a photo of this round...perfect score...3 3's!

33.3

Watermelon and contraband sparklers. We know how to celebrate.

32.2

A new book, painted nails, and a cool afternoon in the backyard.

Day 32 {Sunday Sunburn}

In the pool three days in a row = a serious need for aloe.

31.2

I can't decide which I prefer more: a good sunset or a good sunrise.

Tonight's sunset was pretty great. 

R&R on Day 31

I love a good lazy Saturday...

Zoe had the right idea. I definitely took a (two hour) cat nap this afternoon...when I was trying to read a book.

And we worked on our puzzle. My sister gets most of the pieces.

Then we headed out to the grandparents' to watch the VFW fireworks on the hill. Not bad at all. And the heat lightning and stars were pretty good too.

30.2

Scan. Stamp. Save. Repeat. 

Day 30 = Heat Advisory

When there's a heat index of 105, there's nowhere else I would rather be. I went for two swims today, and I'm seriously contemplating a third. In between, I watched the most amazing indie movie by the Polish Brothers called For Lovers Only. If you get the chance, check it out. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. And it made me want to go to France!

Ice cream is always good too.