TGIF!!

I got my hair cut last night. I have to say... I love my stylist Ramez.

Ramez!

I've been going to see him since February 2007, right after I got home from my Ghana Africa trip and cut 10" off my hair to donate to Locks of Love. It was love at first sight...totally superficial, platonic love. He has this wonderful accent (he's from Jordan, the country not the city), and after he's done all the coloring and the shampooing, and the put-you-to-sleep head massage, he gets into this cutting zone. And while he's in the Ramez cutting zone, he sings to you. In Arabic. Lullabies and songs he makes up. It makes me feel like I'm in the movie Aladdin. Its W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L. I'll be honest, I've strayed a few times. Tried to go with someone else and see how I liked it. And I always end up going back. He's my one and only. The only one who truly knows how to cut and color my hair. And that's a very important relationship in any woman's life.

We went bowling at the office today. Its always SO nice to get out for a couple of hours, especially on a friday. Here are a few pics so you can marvel at my bowling form...

Lining up the shot (see, isn't my hair so cute!)

the wind-up (or load-up, whatever floats your boat)

firing action primed!

Looks pretty straight down the middle to me.

Don't worry, I'm sure at the last second, it veered off to the left. Plus I can only throw the ball at about 12 mph, so I only end up knocking down like 4 pins. I blame it on the alley. I think they built a little slope in there just to make the game more challenging. It couldn't be my puny skinny arms...

As a last note, I simply can't stop thinking about Girl Scout Cookies. Is this a sign of obsession? Or is it just because its almost 4 in the afternoon, on a Friday, and I am just looking for anything that is sweet, chocolatey, minty crunchy-ness goodness? Maybe both? I think I need help.

~CJ

Friends, Babies & Anniversaries

I didn't blog at all for the last 2 weeks. I guess I feel like I don't have anything interesting to share lately. I haven't seen any good movies, been to any amazing restaurants, read any fantastic books. (We did take a wonderful Sunday walk with the pups. It was...well, wonderful.) Speaking of books though, I do think everyone should read 'The Book Thief' just once. You won't regret it.

What I have been doing is working busily on a baby blanket for a dear friend of mine, Jean. Well, two blankets actually. I figure, she's put up with me as a friend for approximately 20 years, she deserves two blankets! She actually deserves a lot more than that. Jean is one of those true friends; the one you can call after a year of not talking to each other, and its like no time has passed. The one who you share inside jokes with that go back years and years, and you both still think they are funny. The one who you know has your back no matter what. Also, one of the amazing things about Jean, she hand-writes cards and letters! No text messages, or cheesy one-liners in a birthday card. She actually writes to you. Its amazing how a little personal effort can go a long way.

This is Jean at 30 weeks pregnant. I'm sooo excited for her!

CT and I are days away from our 2 year Anniversary.

I'm excited and a little stressed! Christmas, my birthday in January, CT's birthday in February, and Anniversary in March? That's a lot of gifts. I need to come up with the perfect gift...but I'm at a loss. I got him (what I consider) the perfect gift for Christmas, and again for his birthday. This is a lot of pressure folks. I know, its not about the gift. I get that. But I still want it to be awesome. And, um, financially aware awesome.

As a final note, I can't stop eating up information about whats going on in Japan. I guess I feel connected to it, with one of my very best friends Keiko originating from Japan and her family still residing there. I feel very humbled and awed by the stoicism and hope of the people there. A far different picture from how our New Orleans locals reacted to Katrina. Just sayin.

I also feel very relieved that Keiko's family is all safe and healthy. I feel terribly saddened for the loss experienced there, and for the sadness that Keiko feels for her home country. I can only hope that people continue to work together and act compassionately for those who have lost everything.

~CJ