Family Reunion Down South

This past weekend we had our annual Chitty Reunion. This year we took it back home to HOUMA where it all started. Houma is an hour South of New Orleans. Didn't think you could get much further South right?

I was born there and it's been a while since I was there last. After we moved to Shreveport I would go down to stay with Grandmother and Popper for the Summer's. I have a LOT of great memories. Most have to do with my cousins, two of which were no shows, thanks a lot Hollie and Heidi. We usually have a huge turn out but for some reason we were missing half of the family. It was still good to be back home and see all the old sights.

(Don't worry, Hollie and Heidi, I will write you a very long email of all the drama of this years reunion. There was tons tons tons this time around)

Here is a quick video that I put together. I have Part Two coming soon.

KIng of Pop will always be my PYT

I am shocked beyond belief. Yesterday while walking from the local coffee shop to the apt  I received a text from Ayla stating, "Michael Jackson Died". I FROZE. I called her immediately and got all the details then ran home to see what was on the news. At that time not all papers and reports were releasing that he had died. But soon after the reports came in. I called Jon, my parents and my brother. I was sad. Everywhere I went in NYC last night you could hear his music playing all around. All the chatter on the streets made strangers talk to each other and every single person that you did speak to was shocked and sad. We ALL loved his music and what he brought to the Pop world. His music is timeless and will remain to be.

In 1984 I was in 2nd grade. I remember the Thriller album coming out. It was huge. It was the first time that I was hooked on a musician. The photos on the album fascinated me. I would spend hours looking at the veins on his wrist popping out while petting the tiger. 

Remember when you sold those candy bars, America's Finniest or something like that, in school and then you win prizes for how much you sell? Well I used all my rewards on Thriller album cover iron-on's. He was IT! Every kid wanted to be him. 

Rick and I would stay up on Friday nights to watch Friday Night Videos (before MTV) and the Billie Jean video was the coolest thing ever. I wanted to walk on that sidewalk and make them light up like he did. 

 

I also remember when MTV was going to air Thriller for the first time. Rick and I stayed up to watch  it. It was worth it. The video scared me but also fascinated me. I was amazed how real the zombies looked. I immediately started trying to learn the dance. 

In 3rd grade my cousins, Hollie and Heidi, and I made a routine to PYT and performed it for our families. We charged 5 cents to come to the show. We also sang the entire song We Are The World. It was a Michael Jackson tribute night I guess. They have that on video. I would love to get it online.

Say Say Say with Paul McCartney is still one of my favorites of MJ. 

Of course there is Beat It and Man in the Mirror. The list goes on and on. Pretty much every single song of his was a hit. 

At Harding my 2nd year we had a Kojie Halloween party. We were just supposed to

 come dressed up. I had to go the extra mile and got 5 of us together to be the Jackson 5 and have a routine as well. We had a dance and lip sync routine to ABC. Fro's, paint and all. After that "the Bazaar Band Bash" was formed. The following year I had to make a comeback and I was not about to let anyone beat the King of Pop so we with more people involved we did a tribute to Motown Records. Jackson 5, Supremos and Gladys Night and the Pips. I wish I had photos of this but they are back home in Shreveport. 

Senior year it was tough to get a comeback of the Jackson 5 so I took it upon myself to make sure that Michael made a last appearance.  I needed a little work on my moon walk for sure.

Michael Jackson has been through a life that non of us can identify with. He troubled, abused in many forms and confused. He was a very lonely man and never grew into a man. He chose to remain a child in his mind which is where all the controversy began with his relationships with kids. I like to believe that he really thought of those kids as his friends and that he never hurt them. I know a lot of people disagree with me. But what we can all agree on is that he was a music and entertainment Genius. 

I will always be a fan of him and his music and it will constantly inspire me to get up and dance no mater what age I am. 

We will Miss you Michael Jackson!

Tears for Fears

I have tons more photos from the trip to post but right now I will just update everyone of my first week back.

It was a long flight back and I cried the whole way. Of course it didn't help that I watch romantic sappy movies the whole way either. By the time I landed in NY it was 3 AM London time. I was exhausted. I hopped in a cab and headed to the city. 

For the first time in my life I was not happy to see the city skyline. I actually resented the Empire State Building. I could have been the jet lag or the fact that I just left Jon. Probably a little of both. So the cab drops me off right in front of my building and I

 manage to get ALL my bags up the stairs. By this time it is 4AM London time. I open the door to my apt excited about sleeping and what do I find? A war zone!!

The place was a mess. A disaster. It smelled of Cat poop and cigarettes, stuff thrown everywhere. I immediately busted out in tears. I noticed that my Dad's painting (that is supposed to be hanging on my wall in my bedroom) was in the living room on top of the book shelf with something touching the front of it. SO not cool. When I picked it up there entire back of it was infested with roaches. More waterworks. When I expressed my concern to my

 roommate she said, "I can't deal with this right now, I'm tired". It was only 11 NYC time and your apartment is infested with roaches and you 'can't deal with it'???? Really??

When I walked in my room it reeked of mildew. Soon I find that all my bedding is in a box and covered with mold and soaking wet. Tears Tears and more Tears. I could not believe it. Also, a couple of bags of clothes were soaking wet as well. I sublet my room to a girl and when I left it for her it was nice and clean. It was left a wreck for me. So Nice. And also on a side note, when you sublet a space from someone that does not mean that you redecorate and move furniture around. You bring in your clothes and whatever you need to survive for the time being. You don't bring your own art work for the walls.

Here are a couple of the pillows at their best.

So after running to the store to buy cleaning supplies, bug spray, trash bags and a gun (that one a joke of course) I was able to get my room somewhat decent to cry myself to sleep. By that time it was 5 AM New York time. What time does that make it for my jet lag clock??? Wait for it, wait for it.... 10 in the morning. 10 in the morning and no sleep. I am just now getting myself on schedule. 

So to sum it all up, I am slowly getting adjusted to being back in the city, slowly adjusting to life without Jon, Slowly getting my apartment back in order, Not having to cry myself to sleep anymore and looking for a new roommate. 

WELCOME HOME!!!

Back to Life Back to Reality

Well it's time. The end of my trip is now here. I leave Sunday and can't seem to believe it.

This had been the best 3 1/2 months ever and I am SO happy that we did this. It showed us a lot about each other and helped us have a bit of normalcy. 

I love the funny and annoying quirks that I have learned about Jon. What are these quirks you ask? Well...

- When he's watching TV he gets so into it that sometimes he nods along in agreeance with something on the screen.

- When he wants something he asks it in a question form rather than directly, i.e. "Should we make some tea?" Rather than, "I would like some tea"

- When we are walking holding hands he uses my hand almost like a joystick for a game to control the direction.

- His perfect Saturday morning is Eggs, Coffee, Paper, Video Games.

- He sings in a Dean Martin type of voice to do EVERYTHING

- His ability to rhyme does not exist but does not stop him for trying.

- He is a great but very loud flosser

To name a few. Sorry sweetie for telling but I really DO love them. 

I have already packed so I don't have to worry about it this weekend when he's home. I think the bags are lighter this time which does not make any since. Maybe I just did a better job at organizing.

SO back to NYC I go. Am I excited? Eh. Not that much. I feel bad for not wanting to go back to the city that I love so much but knowing that I am having to leave here makes it hard. Also, going back means having to job search, roommate search and back to real life. One thing I am looking forward to is Summer in the City. It's the best time to be there. Hopefully Jon will be moving back sooner than later. It's in the works.

So blog friends I sign off from being a Londoner and will resign on as a New Yorker again. I will have more pictures to post from here though so I guess it's not all over.

Have a great weekend and keep my flight in your prayers!

Move to NYC

For all of you who have wanted to move to New York and never have nows your chance. I am looking for a new roommate. 

Leave the husband and kids and come live with me. 

Sure there is no backyard or front yard for that matter but you are just steps away from Washington Square Park. 

We may not have any malls but who needs them when you live a block away from Soho. 

What would you do with your car? 

Sell it, you have your personal chauffeurs to take you all around the city. 

Come enjoy the tight living quarters where you can hear your neighbors yell at their dog Mr. Peanut Butter at 7 in the morning. Yes, the restaurants may be a little more than what you are used to but where else can you have food from every country delivered to your door at anytime during the day. Even Mc Donald's.

So if this sounds appealing to anyone please let me know. I will be needing someone in July or August.

Rag Doll

Ok, I know this is probably the stupidest thing you will ever watch in your life but I think I have found my new hobby. Making Music Videos!!!! Last week while Jon was playing video games I was being bored and playing on my computer. I was fooling around with the imovie feature and was trying to download the videos from my camera. Soon I realized that I was able to film myself with the computer. After a few hours of being silly and stupid I ended up with this. No, I am not trying to dance and be serious and sexy. Just good ole' fun. Enjoy!!

A Night Out With the Boys

A few weeks ago we hit up the club Jewel. It was lovely with chandeliers and crystals everywhere (which I didn't take a picture of). I was the only girl out with 3 men. 3 Players. Out on the prowl. Well, Jon wasn't looking but he still had his swagger with him. Tom and Tony are both looking for that perfect someone and I was their wing man.

Here are the 3 guys. Jon, Tom and Tony.

Ladies, Tony is newly single, 38 years old, successful, kind, tender hearted, a great personality and an awesome new convertible (not that that matters but guys tend to think that it does). He lives in London and has a great accent. If there are any takers out there let me know and I will set it up. 

This picture makes me laugh because it looks so posed. Can you tell I am a photographers daughter? Both of our heads are tilted perfectly. So cheesy.

This picture really didn't capture what I was trying to get. The outside, in Piccadilly Circus, was so lit up and bright from the lights and white marble buildings that it almost looked like a fake movie set. I just couldn't stop staring out the windows. 

I apologize to Tony for this shot but it cracks me up. The contrast of Tom and Tony is so funny. Overly excited and asleep. He looks asleep, right? Nope, he wasn't. So if he's not asleep then he much be depressed then? Nope.

He just is not aware of the camera, ever.