Soy Sundaes, and Luscious Locks, and Elie Wiesel

Delicious Soy Sundae 

As I was riding on the Subway today, I started to think about the simple pleasures in life.  For me, those include:  making the perfect soy-sundae, throwing away a huge stack of index cards after a midterm exam, drinking a delicious cup of coffee when I first wake up in the morning, watching a Disney movie, and sorting through Mommy blogs for the Good Housekeeping Good Advice column.

Tangled, Released on DVD Today!

 And, lucky for me, these were all on the agenda for today.  My alarm went off especially early today, 6:00, as I crammed the last little bit of information about the Middle East before my midterm at 11.  I was so worried; my professor's new to NYU this year, and from what I'd heard about his class last semester, he's a super hard grader.  But, I'm happy to say my 100 notecards (complete with neon-pink highlighter marks) definitely paid off.  I knew the correct response to every single question-now of course I just hope he likes my answers.  For lunch, I stopped by my old dorm, Hayden, and ate the most delicious soy ice cream for lunch.  Seriously, only there can you find 3 different types of ice cream minus the milk.  At Good Housekeeping, I was asked to please look at Mommy blogs about makeup application.  I seriously looked for 3 hours, and my results were quite limited, but I sure did learn a lot-husbands are a hassle and children are very messy.  After my student council meeting and dinner at Upstein, Jen and I are currently watching Tangled.  It was a new release for Redbox today.  Coupled with delicious Girl Scout cookies, I must say, so far so good!


So you see, othing to crazy to report; however, I was invited to hear ELIE WIESEL (author of Night, Oprah book club read and only the most amazing Jewish studies novella ever) speak on April 12.  But besides that, it was a pretty ordinary day at NYU.

And That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles

Adorable Girl Scout with the Six
Cookies Sold This Year 

For my Reporting 101 class, we have to write an article about business reporting this week.  We presented our ideas in class on Wednesday, stocks, bonds and other business jargon seemed to be spewing from everyone else's mouth.  I however was a little uninspired by the front page of the New York Times and decided to take on a different approach for my news coverage...Girl Scout Cookies.  

We learned that all stories have some sort of business angle.  And after much research, 2 interviews, and a trip to the International Girl Scout Headquarters (conveniently located 4 blocks from my dorm), I can attest to that. So, here's my weekly story. Hope you enjoy it:

The stale economy is teaching Girl Scouts a new lesson: the way the cookies crumble.

         To offset the increased cost of cookie ingredients, Girl Scout councils made the decision to increase cost to $4 and package fewer cookies in boxes of Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, and Tagalongs.  

According to Girl Scout representatives, “today’s prices reflect the current cost of purchasing cookies from a licensed baker, and the realities of providing Girl Scout activities in an ever-changing economic environment.”  

In addition to shrinking each box by a centimeter, this year’s cookie jamboree limited its variety to only six selections.  

Lovers of Thin Mints, Lemonades, and Tagalongs need not fret, with Trefoils, Shout Outs, and Samoas holding a spot in this years cookie sales too.  

"Our top five varieties make up 77% of cookie sales,"  said Amanda Hamaker in a recent Wall Street Journal article.  As the manager of national product sales for the Girl Scouts, Hamaker said, "The others are yummy and fun, but they're side dressing—leaving councils with an awful lot of alternate varieties left over."

Although each cookie now costs 38¢, New York City Girl Scout Specialist Heather Reine said, “the increase has not affected sales in a negative way.  Actually I think more people buy a 5th box for the even $20.”  

Cookie monsters can stock up on all their favorite flavors from now through May 5 by visiting pop-up shops throughout the 5 boroughs. 

Taking cookie sales into the 21st century, Girl Scouts released the Official Girl Scouts of the USA Cookie Finder app for the iPhone or iPod Touch.  “The iPhone’s GPS reads your location and shows you cookie sales nearby,” said a Girl Scout Press Release.  

However, for NYU students only, Reine said, “the Girl Scouts of Greater New York will table in Kimmel on April 19th for their corporate cookie sale.  Don’t miss out on the springtime cookie-selling ritual.”    

Hot Air Balloons, Low Fat Yogurt, and Gas-Station Coffee

Saturday was my last night in Macon, and to celebrate, my family attended the Cherry Blossom Balloon Glow.  Along with the Tribbles, we camped out on the Macon State lawn and enjoyed a delicious spread of food.  My mom made fried chicken from scratch, but I ate a salad with French dressing.  For dessert, we had 7 Layer Cookies and Brownies.  Now, the Tribbles are our closest family friends; Mrs. Amy and Mr. Steve are like a second set of parents for me.  Really, I don't know what I'd do without them.  And while the evening was definitely fun, I knew I couldn't stay in Georgia forever.  Plus, when I woke up the next morning, everything was covered with blanket of yellow pollen.  With only 7 weeks left in the semester, I know time will fly before I'm back in the South to celebrate my sisters graduation.  So anyways, after a 2 hour plane ride, complete with 3 screaming babies, I was back in New York City.  

The Mystery Yo Plus

And,  It Only has 360 Calories

Today, I had my internship at Good Housekeeping.  For 5 hours, I went on a wild goose chase looking for Yo Plus Yogurt.  I literally went to 30 different stores, and lo and behold, they no longer make it.  I'm sure every stock boy thought I was crazy, staring at the Yogurt section with a confused look on my face.  My editor wasn't to pleased, but at least I tried.

Then, when I got back (and had hardly had enough time to take off my coat) I was sent out to find a Ben and Jerry's Half Baked ice cream bar.  Again, visits to many bodegas were had; however, at least this treasure hunt produced some results.  Now remember, the Hearst cross street is 57th and Broadway.  I finally found it at the 7/11 at 42nd and 9th Avenue.

Now, to reward myself for all my hard work (and because I'd done all that walking in 4 inch heels) I bought some gas station coffee.  For some reason, it's my absolute favorite. Seriously, I'd rather drink a large cup of french vanilla from 7/11 any day over a venti vanilla latte from Starbucks.  Plus, it's way cheaper-a large only cost $1.89! 

The Pinkest Party on Earth

Yes, that is a Pink Poodle

Today, I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pinkest Party on Earth.  Dog owners dye their poodles Pepto-Bismol pink, and burly men wear hot pink blazers.  The Cherry Blossom Queen and her court were introduced, and Virginia College's President welcomed Maconites to the opening day.

Delicious Fried Cheescake

Afterward, I ate some delicious fair food.  Red beans and rice for starters, with a large sweet tea.  And for dessert, wait for it...deep fried cheesecake.  Seriously, it was delicious!  The VC booth in the Long Building was quite cute.  Festival visitors can register to win a flat-screen tv; plus they can admire the adorable pink polos the VC staff wears.
Speaking of shirts, this years official Cherry Blossom tee is navy blue with the cutest pink trees on the back.  At only $15, it was a worthy purchase.

The afternoon was spent at Virginia College decorating the bulletin board with fun Cherry Blossom pictures.  I must admit, I'm going to be quite sad when I leave Macon on Sunday afternoon.  I'm sad to be leaving my family, but I'm also sad to be leaving behind this pink wardrobe.

Here's the VC Booth 

Wendy, Mommy, and Megan at the Cherry Blossom Festival 

Petals' (the Pink Poodle) Chair 

Think Pink

With my Baby Brother inside the
Virginia College Tent 

I know it's St. Patrick's Day; everyone's wearing green and celebrating the Irish, but it's time to Think Pink. This week, I've been home in Macon, Georgia.  Besides visiting friends and catching up on mid-semester reading, I've been helping my mom get Virginia College ready tomorrow's ribbon cutting ceremony.  That's right, at noon tomorrow, the 29th annual Cherry Blossom Festival will officially be underway.  For ten whole days, Macon takes on a rosy glow.  From the daily newspaper to Chick-fil-A milkshakes, everything is pink.  Festival-goers are invited to enjoy gracious Southern hospitality as they celebrate in a grand style the magnificent beauty of 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees.

Because Virginia College is a silver sponsor, our family was invited to attend Peek at the Park.  Applebee's catered the meal, and we dined in the big, white tent.  Pink table clothes covered the tables and crystal chandeliers dangled from its ceiling.  After a meal of spinach dip and chips, we had 2 hours for park rides.  I went on the Ferris Wheel twice and some type of Pirate Ship a few times too.  At the Big Cat Encounter, we saw a liger, a white bangled tiger, and a lion  And, the greatest thing...it was all FREE!  

 I just can't wait for tomorrow's ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Hopefully, I'll be able to buy this year's t-shirt. I mean, Macon is the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.  If that doesn't deserve a celebratory souvenir I don't know what does.  Plus, I really feel like Cotton Candy and Elephant Ears are calling my name.  

Here's a picture of my Mom's 3 Babies

View from the Top of the Ferris Wheel 

Becky and Dalton, They're So Cute Together 

Me and my Mommy on the Ferris Wheel 

I

High/Low

Good Housekeeping was a little slow today.  There was a lot of time spent on facebook and flipping through old editions.  Literally, all my tasks for today were completed by 10:15.  So, basically Libby just kind of made up things for Alex and I to do.  After lunch, we had to look up home decor blogs.  I'm not really sure what it was for, but I had a lot of fun.  It was quite inspiring.

One of my favorite things to do is bargain hunting.  This Style at Home "High/Low" series is one of my favorites.  Basically, they feature two practically identical spaces, one designed at top dollar, and the other at a much lower cost.  

Take for example this garden room. 

Here is the High version at $9,937 and Low version (the one on the right) for only $3,109. 

Here's another...

And another...

Can you believe the similarities here?

Of course, then I realized that I'm on college budget and wouldn't be able to even 

afford the Low options.  I guess I'll just have to continue to visit thrift shops and antique 

stores if I want to furnish my dorm room next year.  

When You Wake up At 4:30am

Today's Ash Wednesday, and so begins the 46 days of Lent.  This year I've decided to give up bread and sweets (but just during the week).  PB&J is probably my most favorite food on the planet, so bread is definitely a major sacrifice.  Already, I'm craving crunchy Jiff and strawberry jelly on 2 toasted slices, minus the crust.  And, well candy just because I eat way to much of it.  I'm hoping that by limiting my sugar level, I'll drop a few lbs over the next few weeks.

There's one thing that I could never give up though...coffee.  This past week, as I've prepared for midterms, I've allowed my love of lattes to run my life.  I had two midterms this morning, and the only think that got me up when my alarm went off at 4:30 was the thought of a delicious cup of joe.

I don't know if anyone else's noticed it, but Starbucks has new cups.  How sad is it that I realized this?  The design no longer has the words "Starbucks Coffee" on it because they're trying to expand their brand. How interesting.  Just as long as they don't change the size of a Venti, I'm fine.

Only 3 more days and 1 more midterm until my brain's on break.  I'm so ready!

It's Spring Time and I'm Stuck Inside

Only 3 midterms and 2 papers stand in my way of Spring Break.  All I keep thinking is this time next week, I'll be back in Macon, Georgia.  I've never wanted a chance to chill more than now!  Of course, I'll just be reading books for my internship, studying for an additional midterm, and writing a couple papers during my 7 day hiatus from the City, but at least I'll be home!

Today was absolutely beautiful, but I wasn't able to leave Gramercy.  Between making notecards, reading the Contending Visions of the Middle East, and doing laundry, stepping outside the building just wan't an option.  But I still wanted to celebrate Spring, so I painted my toenails neon green.

Good Housekeeping was pretty excited yesterday.  In the morning I opened reader mail.  I got this crazy letter from this 60-something who wrote detailed instructions on how to make Barbie panties.  Complete with pictures, it was probably the most laughable piece I've read thus far.   After which, I worked on the "Drop 5" article.  It was my job to compare two items calorie counts.  The biggest surprise I found was at Outback Steakhouse- their cheese Fries have as many calories as 20 orders of potato boats.  After lunch, I wrote the hook and decks (the title and short one-sentence blurb underneath it) for an article that'll appear in the June edition.  I rounded up the afternoon with a few book write-ups and left around 5:30.

Quick question:  why is it that whenever you have money and are searching for something new to wear, you can never find anything at Gap?  I'd gotten paid on Thursday and really wanted this pair of jeans, But when I went to buy them yesterday after work, of course they weren't there in my size. So annoying!  I guess I'll just have to wait until Monday to visit the Gap closer to campus.

Last night, Jen and I went with our RA to see True Grit.  The Coen brothers did quite a good job, and the little girl was an excellent actress.  I'm a little confused why she didn't win the Oscar (and why was her role only as a supporting actress?), but oh well.