The Will to My Grace

As I know I've mentioned numerous times before, Ben is my ex-boyfriend turned best friend.

We are truly a real life Will and Grace. Minus the engagement. But definitely including the months of not speaking following the "I'm gay" discussion.

via

There is no one I am closer to than Ben, and I don't think there is anyone I am more honest with.

Last Saturday, I called Ben to see if he was coming to my upcoming tea party (No, not like the political group...like a legit tea party where people are going to wear floppy hats and brunch).

"Sorry, but I'm going to be in Columbus," he replied.

"What? You're going to miss my tea party?" I said, growing irrationally upset. "You're my best friend! How can you not come to my tea party?"

"I'm sorry." I could just imagine him shrugging his shoulders apologetically. "But I really can't make it."

Taking the mature route, I angrily pressed the "End" button on my fancy Bluetooth screen and stewed in self-pity.

Ha! I thought. I didn't even tell him goodbye! 

We went without talking until he called late Sunday afternoon.

"Can I come over?" he asked.

"Umm...okay. Fine." I was still bitter. "Don't forget my season one of Girls."

After the two minute walk between our apartments, Ben showed up with a gorgeous tin of Teavana tea.

"Since I can't make it to your tea party, I bought you this," he smiled.

Seriously.

I have no idea what I did to deserve such a friend.

Thank you for always being there for me, Ben, and for putting up with all of my ridiculous moods.

You will always be the Will to my Grace!

Fun Target Finds

Yesterday, I had to make two returns at Target.

Whenever I return anything to Target, I suddenly feel like I am completely justified in perusing the store and finding items that are either less than or equal to the worth of the returned items.

It's practically like shopping for free.

Last evening, I found luck in the home-wares section.

Please, feast your eyes upon all of my lovely Valentine's Day finds!

Those plates and bowls? Could you ever eat out of those without a huge smile on your face?

And that tray!

Speechless.

Merci beaucoupe, Target. Je t'aime!

Predictions for the New Year

I know a lot of people are not big into New Year's resolutions.

But I am not one of those people.

I think the New Year is a wonderful time to recognize my faults, examine what needs to be changed in my life, and work toward improving my emotional and physical well-being.

I prefer to use the term "predictions" though rather than "goals" or "resolutions."

You know, because I am obviously going to achieve all of these things in the year 2013.

1. I will finish my novel.

2. I will lose the 30 pounds I previously lost (must think up fabulous reward when I reach my target weight).

3. I will read (and reread) every Jane Austen novel.

4. I will get a Harry Potter tattoo.

5. I will fall in love.

6. I will find the perfect shade of red lipstick.

7. I will write a fan letter to one of my favorite authors.

8. I will attend mass more often.

9. I will daydream less often.

10. I will let myself have lazy Sundays and not feel guilty about it.

What are you hoping to accomplish in this sparkling new year?

Meet Cami the Corolla!

On Sunday, I made yet another step forward into the bright and blinding light of adulthood.

I bought my first car.

I'll admit, it was a bit sad trading in the 2000 Toyota Camry that I had driven since I was sixteen. The Camry went through a lot with me. We traveled to and from high school tennis practices together. I lied to my parents and drove to Chicago with her. She locked me out a few times, and my dad had to come rescue me with a spare set of keys. We had a couple of scary moments when I blew one front tire (twice) driving too close to the curb.

We were pretty close after seven years together, you know?

Of course, most of that nostalgia dissipated once I got inside my 2013 Toyota Corolla. I was blown away by all of her neat features- Bluetooth, a touchscreen to control my music and phone calls, a ceiling that did not leak...!

I chose a nautical blue Corolla with a black interior.

And I named her Cami, in honor of the Camry.

My mom thinks this is dumb, and that Cami deserves a more special name unique to her drive and look.

But I think she definitely looks like a Cami and is thrilled to be named after the Camry.

I am so excited about my new car and am looking forward to the many, many miles we have ahead together!

And the other's gold

I can still remember the way we ended every Girl Scout meeting when I was a little girl.

We would all stand in a circle holding hands as we sang the "Make New Friends" song. Very warm and fuzzy stuff.

Now though, more than ever, the lyrics of that song seem oh so relevant to my life.

Last night, I was able to get dinner with a friend of mine from high school that I only get to see about once each year.

She is the kind of girl who hyperventilates at the thought of staying in one location for longer than a single year. She always has the wildest, most fantastic stories of her adventures to tell. She is also one of the oldest and truest friends I have.

Definitely fitting into the latter "and the other's gold" category.

Rose and I met during our freshman in high school. We were in the same French class (and would remain in the same French class all four years!) and quickly became friends.

Whenever the bossiest girl in our class, Morgan*, tried to...well...boss me around, Rose was always my first defender.

She is part of some of my favorite memories from the past ten years of my life. We had her mom drop us off at the movie premiere of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. We made Harry Potter t-shirts together with iron-on letters from Michael's (Rose's read, "I SPEAK PARSELTONGUE"). We narrated a "Barbie Fashion Show" in French class.

At dinner yesterday evening, Rachel, our friend, Megan, Rose, and I all caught up over incredible salads, gourmet pizzas, and salted caramel gelato.

Megan and Rose

Rose's ultimate quote of the night was, "Well. I did Vegas right. I almost married a Brit."

For real.

So here is to all of those lifelong friends who, no matter how much distance lies between you or how many months have gone by since you've seen one another, still feel like some of the closest and truest companions you could ask for.

*This is totally her real name.

At Last

I hope you read that title (either aloud or in your mind) just as Etta James would have sung it.

This evening, I was pulling up to my apartment after work just as the beautiful, big, brown, UPS truck came to a screeching halt beside me.

"Jenna?" the UPS driver called out.

Finally. Finally after seven months of renting, my neighborhood UPS driver knew my name! At last!

"Yes! That's me!" I shouted back excitedly. "Do you have a package for me?"

"I do!"

"Is it from Kate?" I was practically bouncing as I waiting impatiently for him to rummage for my correct package.

He inspected the label, "Says Kate Spade here."

"That's her!"

"If the shoe fits," he shrugged, handing me my package.

"How did you know? They are shoes! I ordered rain boots!"

The UPS driver feigned enthusiasm before waving goodbye and going on his way.

I didn't know if I was more excited about the fact that he knew my name or the arrival of my KS rain boots.

Either way, it was a wonderful way to begin my evening.

Alright clouds- time to let loose and give me some precipitation.

These boots were made for walking.

Eeeeek! Seriously. They're so posh, I can hardly stand it.

Ringing in 2013!

Happy New Year, bloggers!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Years Eve.

I spent mine at a friend and her fiancé's house. We drank champagne, ate delicious foods (observation: married couples make the best appetizers), and played an incredibly amusing game titled "salad bowl."

Thanks for the amaze photo, Meg!

Just before midnight, we walked over to the neighborhood square.

It was snowing heavily, and even though my feet were terribly cold in my purple glitter flats, the night felt magical.

At midnight, there was a "ball drop" followed by a gorgeous fireworks display.

Another incredibly photo by Meg! Note: We do not know that happy couple beside me.

We attempted to go to a few nearby bars, but the crowds were just too crazy to enjoy ourselves so we headed back to my friend's home.

Around 1AM, I called the cab driver we normally use and requested a pick-up.

"It will probably be thirty minutes, is that okay?" he responded.

"Of course! That's totally fine," I said, honestly expecting a longer waiting period.

2AM rolled around. Still no cabbie.

I dialed his number once more.

"I haven't forgotten about you. A situation came up, but you're next on my list. I promise I'll call once I get there," he explained.

What exactly was this "situation"? Perplexing indeed!

As we waited for our missing cab driver, we tried calling countless other numbers. All were busy.

When the clock hit 3AM, my friend (who was not even catching the same cab) decided to get serious with this cab driver.

"Listen. We've been waiting on you now for over two hours. We use your service all of the time. Can you give us an exact time that you'll be here?"

Her voice simultaneously sounded intensely sad yet purposeful. It was impressive.

But then, my dear friend said the words that would lose us our cab ride.

"You're so late...we shouldn't even pay you!"

Everyone's mouthes dropped open.

A few minutes later, our shady cab driver sent me a text message which read, "Sorry to tell you this, but I'm not picking you up anymore since your friend said you won't be paying."

Oops. Awkward.

Needless to say, my friend and I spent the night on the couch.

I'll be packing a sleeping bag next NYE. Or at least finding a more reliable cab driver! ;)