Faves...2010

A few years ago I went with a sweet friend of mine on a spontaneous trip to Disneyland. It was awesome. One of my favorite memories from the trip happened when we were waiting in a line for Soarin' Over California. I thoroughly enjoy that particular ride and think it is worth waiting in long lines...which, btw, we were. Waiting in a very long line, that is. And then Jamie turns to me and says something along these lines, "So let's play the favorites game." And then we took turns, back and forth, naming some of our favorites...because that's what Jamie and I do. We discuss all of our loves and faves. We have lots of them.

Welp, I've been wanting to count down my favorite memories of 2010. So let's start with number ten.

10. There's nothing particularly special about this memory. It was just a moment, really. I was walking by the law school in Newark. Graduation was over, and most of my things were packed up and shipped off...or sold...or waiting to be sold. Time to move on. I walked by the the high rise our law school inhabits. Isn't it that way it is now? It will always be "mine" or "our" school.

There I was, just thinking about how I was leaving and it was great. I couldn't wait to get the smokey out of Newark! But then I looked through those big glass windows. I could sort of see my reflection, you know, looking back. And I flashed back for a second or two to first year, walking into the building at seven a.m., classes, professors, events in the atrium, lunches in the cafeteria, the library, friends and lots of them. It all sort of skipped through my mind on fast forward, and I felt nostalgia creep in, the way it sneaks up on you and surprises you.

I won't lie. My eyes filled up a little; my breath caught just above my heart and stuck there in my chest. I was sad for all I would leave behind. My apartment and my friends and professors and study sessions. It was a tough three years, no doubt about it. But it was also an amazing blessing.

I wonder sometimes if I would do it again. But in moments like that, and moments like right now, when I can remember how beautiful the world can be when you are learning and being stretched that way, well, how could I not say yes all over again? And so I would. I would say yes.

9. My friend, Mike, introduced me to something quite delightful. One night he and I went to the city for dinner and a movie. It was probably March. The weather was perfect - just a light sweater and scarf for outerwear and a cute pair of flats, minus the socks, thank you very much. Don't you just feel so happy when, after a long winter, you can ignore the coat and the gloves and the hat and just head out... shedding your winter hide, the extra layers going...Going...GONE! It feels like freedom!

So we went out for dinner, and Mike insisted I try something new. Fried pickles. Yep. Fried and delish. That's it. I mean, any night in the city, wandering a bit, eating good food, enjoying the company of a friend, going to a movie. Well, that is a fave for me. Because I love food and I heart movies and time with friends is always a good thing. But fried pickles. What a treat!

8. Thanksgiving...running the Turkey Trot with my sisters-in-law. It was tough mostly because I wasn't totally ready and because it was cold, brutally cold. But I was sure I could run the whole thing. I'm pretty sure we didn't come in first place. Still, we crossed the final line together (holding hands...how cute are we?), and we ran the entire course. Of course, we then went home and stuffed our faces silly. I'm proud of us. That was a great day!

7. There was this one day, where I just went for a run and realized the beauty that is an outdoors run. Living in Newark did not afford such luxuries as outdoor running. Sure, I could have gone into the city and done a long run through the park, but that would include riding into the city on the train, going up to the park on the subway and then coming home in sweaty clothing. I actually have to admit that I regret not doing it at least once. But I didn't, and there it is.

Moving to Texas? Well, that was good for a lot of things...what with family and everything being here and all. But running outside? I've finally felt myself hitting a stride with my running efforts. I'm no Flo-Jo. But I enjoy it. I especially like being out in the elements. Not the rain, of course. I just mean the fresh air and space. It feels liberating. It's no secret how I felt about Newark. But now that I can really move in the open air...ahhhh. I can breath.

6. I don't love graduations. Do you? They are rather dulls-ville. Let us be honest. Listening to a bunch of strangers' names being announced as you await the one person you know to cross a stage is not spectacular fun. But none-the-less. I graduated from law school. And Chris Christie spoke at my graduation. He's rather conservative, as conservative folks go. Not really my taste, I would think. But his speech was actually quite fab. I felt like he was talking to me about "other" choices, other paths a law degree might take me (but that is an entry for another day). And then I came outside and my dad and mom were there. And my dad gave me flowers and they got to meet my friends...these great gals who got me through law school. And then we went to see Mamma Mia in the city and had Junior's because I needed my parents to eat real NYC cheesecake. We even bartered for purses on the street, and my dad bought me an adorable little purple purse. Those parents of mine - I sure do like them a lot.

5. I love NYC. I miss NYC. One particularly delish memory involves Max Brenner. YUM! Kamilah...delightfully preggers for the first time. And a snow storm. I came into the city for a little dessert fest at the best little chocolate shop in town - that's Max Brenner. It was starting to snow a little. But I trekked into the city anyway because hey, I've suffered through some serious blizzards and this one wasn't supposed to be so bad.

I enjoyed some good company. I just love my little Kamilah and her cute new baby. I enjoyed some delish dessert, as always. Seriously if you go to New York, go to Max Brenner. And then I enjoyed the snow storm.

Actually, I got lost. GOT LOST! Me...after three years of traveling into and out of the same spot in the city, over and over. But the snow bedazzled me...confused me...made the familiar seem mysteriously foreign. It was lovely and cold. And there I was, looking mighty cute in my navy blue trench, my tall black boots (surprisingly warm and comfy, even with lots and lots of snow pouring down from the sky), my scarf, my Paris chapeau. I was quite stylish if I do say so myself...and I do!

I'm pretty sure that by the time I figured out where in the hannah banana Penn Station had gotten to in all that snow that mascara was running down my face, and I wasn't feeling so cute anymore. But who cares? For twenty glorious minutes, I was walking in the hush of the snow as it fell over New York City, just appreciating the way the lights glowed all around me. It was pretty perfect.

4. Upstate NY with the rents. When my parents came out for my graduation, I decided that they might want to see a little bit more than just NYC. I love NYC. But I know it's overwhelming. My parents were super good sports and we saw lots of the city, but taking the opportunity to see upstate while they were here was great. We got to see some Church sites and visit Niagra Falls. It sure is pretty up there in the rolling hills. Lots of green trees - which are pretty much top on my list when it comes to flora and fauna. I love trees.

3. Passing the Texas State Bar Examination. Enough said.

2. I have this strange obsession with the desert. It's a love/hate thing. I hate how hot and dry a desert can be. I hate brown deserts...a la Las Vegas. Sorry...no offense to my peeps in V-town. But when you look around the valley, it is really, really brown. And dusty. And brown. But there are things I find fascinating and lovely in the desert. Like the rock formations.

Once, when I was in high school, we took a trip...the fam, that is...to New Mexico. We had a Native American student living with us, and she invited us to a Zuni celebration in November. It was actually pretty cool. By the time we got to New Mexico, dusk had fallen. And there were these amazing rock formations in the distance - giant monoliths rising up out of the desert floor. They were just dark shadows in the night, and their strangeness was beautiful.

Well. Last Summer I was at my bro's house in Colorado He lives about just one hour from the New Mexico border. And there I was, gushing about how I just HAD to see Shiprock...how coooooool it looked and how I just really wanted to see it up close and personal. I think everyone BUT my brother thought I was certifiable. Who wants to go see Shiprock? (No...not the town...the actual rock). So Chad says "Sure, we can go see Shiprock." So we went.

I don't get to see a whole lot of my bro these days. I don't love that so much. But I do love that he was willing to take his crazy sister on a three hour (round trip, that is) drive out into nowhere New Mexico, just so I could see that rock up close. It is pretty freaking awesome. Actually, nature sort of is that way, isn't it? Overwhelming and beautiful and perfect. I loved driving out there with him, and Tara and Chris. I loved talking and laughing again. It felt like old times...from back in the day when we were in high school together. Man that Chad - he's a good kid. And he's got a great family. I sure do love him.

1. And here it is, my favorite memory from 2010. Going to Yankee Stadium for a ballgame with my parents. It was awesome to be with my dad the first time he's ever been to a Yankee's game. He bought a baseball hat before we went in. We ate hot dogs. I ALWAYS eat a hot dog when at a baseball game. How can you not? Maybe in real life, hot dogs are gross (but I don't think so). In Yankee Stadium, they are de.light.ful. The Yanks lost, which was disappointing. But I'm glad I got to take my parents anyway. Our seats may not have been the best. But there we were. Experiencing a New York classic...a tradition for the ages. American baseball at Yankee Stadium. With Mom and Dad. Priceless.