MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Drawn by my very talented and wonderful friend Erin:

Happy [Early] Peaster!

Eassover?
Eassach?
Pesachter?

Either way I'm flying to Cleveland tonight to celebrate Passover with my family.  I'm super looking forward to seeing everyone....... and getting my hair cut WOOOOHOOO (yeah, that's right).  Meanwhile, many of you will celebrating Easter on Sunday.

Did you know that The Last Supper was actually a Passover Seder?  Well, it might've been:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-wil-gafney-phd/was-the-last-supper-a-passover-seder_b_1392094.html

Here are some of the other things the two holidays have in common:
Hiding/Finding Things (the Afikomen / eggs)
A Feast/Large Meal with Family (OK, that's just about every holiday)
Eggs (eating (LOTS of them) / painting/hiding them)
Spring/Rebirth Themes
Personal Suffering (Lent / The Fast of the First Born)

Which reminds me - I am a First Born so technically I shouldn't be eating tomorrow.  But it's my only chance to get Dunkin' Donuts before actual Passover starts!!!  What's a girl (who lives in a city without Dunkin') to do?!?!

in case you're wondering, those are filled with cheesecake

Whichever holiday you're celebrating, I hope it's lovely!

HAPPY PURIM!

I had full intentions of writing all about the Jewish holiday called Purim today, but I can't focus because ALL I WANT IS A FRIGGIN HAMENTASHEN.

image source: netglimse.com

I'm thinking of trekking to the nearest Jewish deli during lunch to see if they have any.  Or buying supplies and just baking them myself tonight.

In case you're really curious, here's a brief summary of the story of Purim.  Tradition says that you are supposed to drink so much at the Purim celebrations (which took place last night) that you can't tell the difference between the name of the villain and the name of the hero of the story.  It's also traditional to dress up in costume for these celebrations - kind of like a Jewish Halloween but without the running around in the dark asking strangers for candy.

Sounds fun right?  But lesbihonest, the best part is the hamentashen.

Seriously, if you have any, please bring me some RIGHT NOW.  kthxbai.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Roomie Jina knew how much I'd love that and sent it to me a few days ago.  She has a fantastic ability to find the perfect photos.  Check out her awesome Valentine's Day post on her own blog here.

Since I can't (and don't want to) compete with that, I thought I'd share just a few more fun Valentine's day images I found and then sign off:

I like this one just because it has the words "meat pie" in it!

Boyfriend and I often get each other cards with penguins on them - penguins are just so adorable 

(and we're fans).

All together now:  awwwwwwww!

Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day,
and much love in the year to come!

XOXOXO

AUSTRALIA DAY: [Sometimes I Wish it Could Officially Be] MBT

As I think I've mentioned before, I became a full-on Australiaphile after I lived in Sydney for 4 months on a study abroad program.  It was one of the most fantastic experiences of my life to date.  Since today is Australia Day, I'm dedicating this post to my favorite country, it's wonderfully friendly and lovely inhabitants, and all the people I met while I briefly lived there.

Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we?......

Blue Mountains

sleepy koala

penguins!

WOMBAT <3

right before one started humping my leg

Melbourne

Great Ocean Road

Twelve Apostles

Hunter Valley wine tasting adventure

surf camp!

7 Mile Beach surfing

echindas

baby 'roo in the pouch!

Fraser Island 4WD/camping adventure

Fraser Island shipwreck

the dingo that might have stolen our bag of wine

sailing in the Whitsunday Islands (wish I was able to find more pics - especially one of Whitehaven)

Brisbane

Sox win the World Series!

Nemo!

FAVORITE. PICTURE. EVER.

Can't wait to go back...  One day...