Holding Babies

Last week, one of my best friends from high school had a baby. After I got over the initial shock of "damn, the girl I used to watch 'Napoleon Dynamite' with has a child," some other friends and I went to visit her and baby Estelle June. That baby is CUTE. Congrats, Moriah and Tommy!

Happy cold Monday! 

Things to Do...in Raleigh

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I've been living in Raleigh for almost a year now and still feel like I haven't really experienced it or seen a lot of the cool things the area has to offer. Since very recently deciding to stay here for another year (!),  I put together a little list of things to do and see here in Raleigh:


1. Visit museums!
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, The North Carolina Museum of Art, and The NC Museum of History all offer free admission. I've never been to any of these, which is funny considering how much I enjoy going to them when on vacation. (Emma, seriously, we need to have a museum day soon.)


2.  Enjoy downtown during First Friday!
I've been to this event once when I was in college but since moving here in July, I've been out of town every first Friday of the month. Hopefully that will change soon! First Friday is a cool way to check out art galleries, restaurants, and the downtown "scene," which leads me to the next item...


3. Experience downtown Raleigh!
I rarely go to downtown Raleigh. At first I was intimidated at the thought of driving through it and finding a parking spot. Then I never knew where to go when I was there. But now I'm ready to get over it and do some investigating! 


4. Take a hike!
My friend Amy and I once went on a little walk at Umstead Park and declared that we'd commit to doing a longer trail. Then it got cold and we never did. With spring time at its maximum potential, I'm thinking we should be hitting the trails soon.


5. Drink!
I recently came to the realization that Raleigh has a lot of really cool breweries in pubs. One of my favorites is the Boylan Bridge Brewpub, which has an awesome view of the Raleigh skyline. Two places I'd like to try: The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium and Natty Greene's Brewing Co.


6. Eat!
My friends and roommates have been dedicated to introducing me to new places in Raleigh but it's so easy to get stuck in the same comfortable (and delicious) places. Gravy, Poole's Diner, and Irregardless Cafe have all been recommended to try.


7. Find a boyfriend!
I kid, I kid...sort of. Anyway, Raleigh is full of perfectly hipster, talented, trendy guys. I will take one, please.




And that is all my Saturday brain can think of right now. Raleigh folks, got any other suggestions?

Back to work I go.

Photos (Clockwise): A wall decoration at a shop in downtown Southern Pines; Enjoying drinks with Syd and Emma, The most delicious chamomile lemonade at The Meatball Shop in NYC; Barney refusing to get out of my car when I was attempting to head home.

After a lovely spring break, it's time to go back to work! Luckily we're in the home stretch at school with only 45 days left...not that I'm counting or anything. 

Happy Monday! 

The 8 Celebrities I Saw in NYC

Last week when I was in NYC, I just kept seeing celebrities beginning with my flight from Raleigh to NYC. That's pretty much all I've ever wanted from a vacation: encounters with fame and fortune. There were 8 and here they are:

1. Jennifer Connelly sat beside me (and breastfed) on the plane to NYC. FYI- she was not actually looking at the camera when this picture was taken.

2. Ed Begley, Jr. was at the same Broadway show I went to see. Elizabeth and I had better seats than him.

3. Jerry O'Connell was one of the actors in "Seminar," a hilarious play Elizabeth and I saw on Broadway. 

4. Justin Long (!!!!!!!) was also in the play and one of the nicest people ever! His hand is on my shoulder. What a dream.

5. Jeff Goldblum and I actually didn't meet but rather made eye contact before he walked the other direction. His loss, right?

6. Zoe Lister Jones (not pictured) was also in "Seminar" and absolutely adorable/humble when she came out to sign autographs after the show.


7. Rudy Boesch  (not pictured) from "Survivor" walked by me on the High Line but I couldn't place who he was until later. Season 1 was the only season of "Survivor" I've ever seen.


8. Andrew WK (not pictured) deejayed at his club, Santos Party House, in Chinatown. He was an excellent DJ but overall, it was a pretty bizarre time. Guess I'm not ready to be a rockstar just yet...


That's it for the celebrities but I also got to check out Carrie Bradshaw's apartment and pretend that I am both rich and trendy!

Long live spring break!