I continue adapting to the Southern lifestyle. An evening at Longbranch Saloon about 3 weeks or so ago was all I needed to continue the transition.
Some other things that still need to happen
- eat at Mama Dip’s (apparently a source of southern soul food according to Food TV)
- attend a NASCAR race (We saw the IMAX movie.. hopefully that’s close enough)
- say that Bojangles sweet tea is not sweet enough (the tea known to rot teeth on contact)
- use the word “y’all” by mistake
- learn to deep fry packaged desserts
- be known by the local Waffle House staff
Interesting that most of these things involve food. Maybe I’m missing something. If there’s anything else Southern that I need to document (preferably that does not result in Carrie gaining 15 pounds), leave a comment!
I came across this link and suddenly became all hot and bothered… (or not). Who would have known that Bill Gates was a teen heartthrob? Though I’m sure it had some sort of heading about young CEOs or something. Oh yes.
Speaking of geeks, I have a strong dislike for the following geek attire:
I must say that Bill is looking rather dapper in comparison. Teen Beat must have conducted a quick makeover before this hawt photo shoot. I wonder how many fan letters he got from this one.
2 days ago, my normal 20-minute commute took 2 hours!
An inch of snow caused major uproar in the Triangle. Northerners, please feel free to have a good laugh at the Southern Folks’ expense. I even had to wipe the snow off my car with a mitten because I have not yet invested in a snow brush. Tres pathetique!
Many of the area children slept over night at their schools, and school has still been cancelled today (and there is not a speck of snow left on the ground). I’m confused.
Just last week it was 75 degrees, so at least now I get to wear all the pretty wintery clothing items I got for Christmas. Ding!
After watching some compelling episodes of Sex and the City this week, I did some SATC-inspired web surfing and came across these amazing Sex and the City Tours of New York.
I obviously now have plans for my next visit to the city. haha.
My Martha Stewart newsletter informed me of a new show premiering on PBS called Everyday food. I got a free issue of this magazine a few years ago when it first came out (which, while perusing for another magazine subscription on ebay, I saw selling for $25! If only I had kept it..).
While I did enjoy the content (I am considering making the Sesame Noodles this week), I feel that the performers/cooks were severly lacking in personality!
Plus the kitchen was way too industrial and non-Marthaesque. If these are supposed to be recipes for your home, why are you cooking in a kitchen like that? Martha always made exremely complicated things in her beautifully decorated kitchens, so I don’t understand why they don’t show these people making the food in their homes. Or something. All the cast members seemed technically qualified, but really. Get a clue.
I don’t know. I’m sure Martha is anxiously waiting her release from prison to voice her opinion on this one.
Last night I went to see “Movin’ Out” – that Billy Joel musical at the memorial auditorium in Raleigh. Overall I was disappointed, it was a ballet more than a musical, the story not told in words but by dance, which was difficult to interpret. (I pretty much agree with everything said here.) Unless you’re a huge Billy Joel fan or a modern dance aficionado, I’d save the moolah on this one. At least we paid downtown Raleigh and not downtown New York City prices. ding!
Perhaps I’m resolving to make more posts to my website. Have you decided on a resolution yet?
Speaking of resolutions, there were like a bazillion people at my gym and even more touring it periodically through the hour I was there today. Haha. Big times in the gym business, you know. I sweated it out in Zumba. But really it felt like Sweatin’ to the Oldies with Latin music (which I’m sure Shira and her mom would enjoy highly!). And of course, no Richard Simmons. Such a shame! I wonder what he’s up to these days!
P.S. Apparently, our friend R.S. is up to no good. Mon dieu!
35 years later, Carrie returns. I was busy making 2004 go out with a bang! Let’s start from the beginning.
Thanksgiving was quite an experience. I cleaned and decorated, Oak cooked and cooked and cooked some more. It was great to have everyone together but at the same time I wonder how people can host holidays year after year after year! (Martha, how do you do it??)
Shortly after that we departed on our cruise of the Southern Caribbean. (I know, how spoiled can we get?) I’ll be updating the cruise site with all the details eventually. We did some amazing scuba diving and touring of all of the islands. The weather was picture-perfect. We really couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful vacation!
But perhaps the most historically significant cruise happening was that Oak popped the question! WE ARE ENGAGED!!!! 
As you know Oak and I have been “going steady” (is that pharase even used anymore?) for over 5 years and have been living together in NC for a little over a year. We couldn’t be happier. 
No date is set quite yet, but I’m excited – there is so much thinking and planning and decisions to be made. And of course, there has to be a motifa. But you know that. About the ring, it’s a solitaire Leo Diamond in a platinum band. Bling-bling pictures will follow once I figure out how to take a good picture of it. (though you can feed your craving here )
A few days of uneventful work and crazed Christmas shopping followed. Then I headed to NY for Christmas celebrations with the fam. (Unfortnuately Oak stayed in the Triangle and worked his little bum off for the holidays).
I was spoiled again. I have lots of new green clothes (the theme thise year was green, obviously.), I am so coordinated I can barely stand it. (obviously my Mom’s doing…. she needs to have her own Style Network show called “Dressing with a motifa”) It was nice catching up with everyone. We had some bridesmaid bonding time for Sarah’s wedding next June. However, less than 3 bottles of champagne were consumed on New Year’s. (silly whole DRIVING HOME thing! whatever!) Better luck next time.
Happy 2005, everyone!
