Cry For Help.

I am going to start this post with a few clips that I think show New York in its best light.  The first is from the movie You've Got Mail.  The second is Jay-Z's video for "Empire State of Mind".  I realize that these clips are completely opposite, but I like them.  And they get me excited for my trip to New York City in a few weeks. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ACWi-Jm-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

While I am there, I plan on doing a few things that I have never done before.

1.  Take the cruise around the harbor.  Hopefully this will be my awesome view of the city.  

2.  Walk/ride through Central Park in the fall.  I am looking forward to bright foliage.  (P.S. I think this last comment really ages me.  I know that I am 27, but my #2 thing to do in NYC is look at fall foliage.  I think this is a cry for help). 

3.   Eat at good restaurants and go to some cool bars.  (I think this makes up for #2). 

Okay, so #3 is a call for assistance.  For all of you New Yorkers, where should I eat?  Where should I drink?  I like a good dark bar that has comfy seating and delicious beer.  Nothing too snazzy or club-like.  Something neighborhoody.  PLEASE, tell me where to go!  I would love your suggestions! 

Cheers!

Lusting for Fall

I cannot express enough my love for summer.  The flip-flops, the days by the pool, three months vacation...  It it truly hard to beat.  But by September when the days are still 95 degrees and the mall is starting to put out sweaters and boots, I start to really jones for some fall weather.  So I thought I would share with you a few things that I am lusting after this upcoming fall.  I realize that most of you could care less about what I want to wear this fall, so really this blog entry is just a glorified excuse for me to window online shop. 

I really want these red Hunter boots.

Wouldn't they just be perfect for rainy gamedays?  Also, they could serve as my snow boots for the five days it snows during the winter in Oklahoma.  And they are just really cute.  Anyone know where I can find some for waaay less than $125?

I also want this dress from Anthropologie.  Big shocker that I like something from this store, but they just have the cutest clothes that are perfect for teaching.   Casual but still polished.

I especially like shirt dress aspect of it.  Corduroy is perfect for fall and the nipped in waist always looks put together.  Sidenote:  Isn't corduroy the weirdest word?  It is not how you expect it to be spelled.

I love a good scarf.  As soon as it is cool enough for me to bust one out, you can bet that I am wearing one.  While I was in Italy, I got this cute pink/red scarf that is just wispy enough to wear in 60-70 degree weather.  Perfect addition to any outfit. 

But, I also like this scarf from Anthropologie.  Isn't it cute? 

I like that it has lots of colors in it that could match pretty much any outfit.  And it looks cozy. 

Well, that is it for me when it comes to shopping.  If you have any must have fall items, feel free to comment!  I would love to see what you like to wear too! 

OU Football. Enough Said.

OU football is an event in Norman.  If you have never attended a game in Norman, I'm not sure if this post will be as fun for you as it is for Sooner fans.

This past weekend was the second game of the season against Florida State.  After a kind of weak performance against Utah State, Sooner fans were ready to crush the Seminoles.   It was an afternoon game, which really meant that Saturday was ENTIRELY devoted to football at the Pawley household.  When you live around campus, the party starts early.  Like 9:00 a.m. early.  Trust me.  There are people outside drinking beer this early on gamedays.  And ESPN Gameday starts at that time, so of course it was on every television in the house.  

The great thing about football season is not just the games but also tailgating.  A longtime friend David Proctor and the law firm he works for hosts a tailgate that is worthy of mention.  The GPHG tailgate offers food, fun, and some mighty fine bar tending.   I want to give a shout out because they have hosted our gameday festivities for the past few years and I appreciate it.  The food is always good and the beer is always cold.  The last two games have been extremely fun, and we were able to see so many old and new friends from college and beyond.  Thanks GPHG!

OU football also means that we get to see our friends that live elsewhere and in town more often.  Our friends Andrew and Jill who live in Dallas come up to Norman for almost every home game and stay at our house.

I like this picture.  it shows our dedication.

I also got to see my sister and her husband who live in Dallas.

 

I also got to see my friends Kyle and Holly who also live in Dallas.  (Wow, I know a lot of people who live in Dallas).  Holly and I were lucky enough to snag a picture with Boomer.  Or Sooner...I'm not sure which one is which.  

We also got to see our great friends who live right here in OKC and Norman, which is always a good time. 


The game was incredible, and we ended up beating Florida State 47-17.  Boo ya.

 I'm looking forward to a great season!  Boomer!

Normantastic

 It has unfortunately been too long since my last post, mainly because I have started school again.  Above is a picture of my desk after four days of school.  You can see why I haven't been posting.

If you haven't guessed or read my profile, I am an English teacher here in Norman, OK.  I teach senior English, which is by far the greatest grade to teach.  (This statement applies to me and me only.  There are some teachers out there who would beg to differ).  The kids are ridiculously sure of themselves and I get to be a part of monumental moments in and outside of the classroom.  As an added bonus, I do not have any testing in my grade, which means that I don't have any added pressures from the state department.  My main goal is to help my kids graduate and learn how to write before they enter college.  The writing part is the toughest part of my job, thus, the crazy, messy desk.

This post is about Norman, and how awesome it can be.  Two Saturdays ago, Travis and I decided to take Toby on a walk and get some coffee at Cafe Plaid and we stumbled upon a street market on Campus Corner called the Dustbowl Arts Market.

It was such a cool little street market, with really neat local clothing and home decorations as well as some great music.

There was one artist in particular, Jacob Abella, who was really great.  He was a strange mix between Rufus Wainwright and Ryan Adams, and Mika.  Check him out on itunes, he has some good songs.  Also, he lives in Norman!  Help support those Norman artists!

Norman also has a great music festival in the spring called the Norman Music Festival that has some great bands and even greater atmosphere.  It is pretty huge, and it located on Main Street.  If you are ever in town during the Music Festival, you should definitely attend! 

These kinds of events are one of my favorite things about Norman.  There is a thriving music and art scene and Normanites really appreciate the local side of Norman.  Needless to say, Travis and I had a great Saturday a few blocks down the street from our house.  We rode our bikes all day, ate local food, listened to local bands, and drank a few local (okay maybe not local) brews.  All in all, it was a great day!