I was born in the wrong decade.

I'm just putting on my finishing touches for my outfit for tonight's PROM!
I was in charge of planning my school's "Year End Event" (boring!), so it became Wagner Prom, complete with a Best Dressed 80s Contest.

I had no idea my hair could fluff so well. Watch out world, I've got a new weapon: Aquanet.

really?

Unwanted creatures are a constant battle in New York. My roommates and I have occasionally had a mouse running around, and Andrew's apartment has been home to a particularly stealthy mouse for awhile now (he is able to eat the treats off of a trap without setting it off- we have fed Mickey an entire jar of peanut butter by now). At first I tried to think of them as little free pets, but pets that you love don't ravage TWO new packages of your favorite rice cakes overnight. Well, maybe they do, but anyhow, I've lost my patience with these guys.

Anyhow, my building recently posted this sign on the door leading to the garbage area, and I just have to say, "Really?" If you're trying to make people in the building NOT be creeped out, and NOT worried about rodents and the like, maybe DON'T post scary little pictures of them around.

teamwork!

How long does it take Ellyn and Andrew to fold and assemble 200 invitations?

One suprisingly good movie.
Lots of pancakes with almost summer berries.
One cutely bottled wine.

That's how long.

We gave ourself hearty pats on the back for our teamwork. Team projects between the two of us sometimes end in a battle of strong wills, but we survived this casualty free, minus a few paper cuts.

welcome to the nealon's.

Ice Glove, by Andrew.

Things I have cried about today:

• My housing situation.
• Andrew's housing situation.
• The future Nealon's housing situation.
• My lost school folder.
  
• Burning my hand with boiling water.
• Some pasta.
  

I know, it's ridiculous. But then Andrew made me an ice glove for my burny hand (I'm serious, see above), and it just killed me. I took a picture and decided that it's time to inject some humor, perscpective, and narcisstic rants back into my currently chaotic life. So, welcome back to the blog.

In the next 4 months I will/hope to:

• Finish my thesis.
• Graduate.
• Move to Brooklyn.
• Find a subletter for my apartment.
  
• Travel to Oregon for 6 weeks.
• Get married.
  
• Go to Hawaii.
  
• Find a job.
  
• Move again, with Andrew.

All of this is making me a little crazy (see above list of items cried about before 2pm). But it's also pretty funny a lot of the time, and I want to remember this weird time in my life.

So, the new launch of "by ellyn" is going to be an exclusively newlyweds-esque blog about what it's like to be getting married, in Oregon, while living in New York, in 2009. No more political musings or weakly satirical rants. It's not like this blog was every Hipster Runoff, anyhow. So, my beloved readership of 4-5, brace yourselves. If married people gross you out, turn away.

Welcome to the Nealon's.

study break

I am really bored of writing 15 million term papers, so I'm taking a break to say Andrew got me new glasses for my birthday! They don't have my perscription yet, but I am convinced that wearing them while writing makes me feel smarter, and thereby more productive. I also think that chewing on a pen=lots of brains. I think Andrew is watching me take pictures of myself when I'm supposed to be writing, so I'll get back to it.

In more important academic-related news, Andrew got into the New School to pursue a Master of Media Studies! I am so proud of him, I could just tip over, and I probably have.

Also, we will be in Oregon from Dec 18-Jan 5, by the way! We miss you.

Also, accuweather tells me the "real feel" outside is 17 degrees. Blerg.

love is...

...having someone who will make you:

• Scalloped potatoes and asparagus
• Pumpkin ice cream with cookie crumbles
• another cookies
• maybe one more cookie
• A giant batch of popcorn

In a one hour span.

And then still take care of you when your tummy hurts.

proud

(thanks, bethany, for the reminder about what today is....)

The past week has brought up all kinds of patriotic feelings in me, but one strain of patriotism that I hope to always nurture, no matter who is in office or what we are engaged in, is incredible respect and gratitude for all of those who serve our nation in the armed forces.

So today, I want to say thank you to two of my own heroes:




My brother-in-law(-in-law) Ross Jackson, who has recently returned from Iraq. I met Ross shortly after he joined the military, and it has been amazing to watch this goofy guy turn into an amazing husband, father, and servant to our country. The Jackson family has truly put service first and made heart-wrenching sacrifices, with Angel staying home with little Ezra while Ross was abroad. Angel is an incredible woman with an amazing sense of perspective and a strength that I can not fathom. The Jacksons humble me, and I am honored to count them family.

Sam Jones, brother of best friend Amanda, and pretty much my little brother for most of my life. Sam used to wear a towel cape and red underpants and do Michael Jackson impersonations for us, and last month he became a First Class Private in the Marines. He is a young man with focus and determination far beyond his years, and while I hope his days of "Billie Jean" moonwalking are not quite over, I know he fulfilling a life-long calling in this service.

Honestly, thinking about these two men in my life brings tears to my eyes. The military has been a source of much controversy throughout America's history, but I truly believe that patriotism in this sense is transcendent. No matter which shade of red or blue I identify with, I hope to always reflect an overwhelming gratitude for those who have laid down their lives and continue to do so every day to keep America strong and safe. Thanks, guys.