223. this post brought to you by new orleans in winter
December 19th, 2009 § 12 Comments
Bring it on, folks — it’s the holiday season and I’ve run away to Louisiana to escape the snowy tundra that is Ann Arbor, Michigan. So far this has meant holiday treats, including baking red velvet cupcakes with my sister-in-law (which equates me eating my weight in cream cheese frosting and regretting it the next morning) and waking up to freshly baked orange rolls from one of those pop-open-with-a-spoon tins that Pillsbury makes.
I brought something like four dresses to wear here, and a bunch of pairs of tights. (At present I am of the variety of person who packs light.) I think I’m just going to mix and match for the next two or three weeks, which isn’t a big deal, and this dress that I’m wearing in the above picture is from Sally Jane Vintage — at first I was afraid that it was too girly for teaching (it has apples printed all over it and tiny apple buttons at the sleeves, which I love!), but I wore it to teach anyway. It zips up the front and has pockets.
Speaking of teaching, Chris and I have been talking about teaching summer school at the high school (in California) to make some extra money and to get some more teaching experience. I’m putting my name in the hat to teach creative writing, college writing and psychology. But I’m also applying for some summer residencies, so we’ll see how that goes.
Oh, writing. I can’t believe that when I go back to Michigan, I’ll be in my last semester of the program, and I’ll have some weird form of a thesis, with so much more to go before my novel is actually finished. What’s more fun (sort of) is to think about what I’ll wear to my reading in February. Chris and my sister-in-law and maybe Aaron will fly in for it, and I bought a dress yesterday with the reading in mind. Here’s a sneak peek:
I bought it at Retro Active, which is closing down soon because Joe is retiring (hi, Joe!) — it needs a new zipper because the old one was essentially rusted shut, but that should be an easy fix.
I also got Jenny a present at Retro Active, which I haven’t sent off yet. (Hi, Jenny!)
Now I’m watching AI, which came out the summer after I graduated from high school, and no one I’ve ever met actually likes this movie or thinks it’s any good, but the beginning part gets to me every time.
xo, mw
I love your style and this blog! I got a comment from Jenny a little while ago, and I’m glad I found my way back here! Where in California are you thinking about teaching (if that’s not a weird question to ask)?
It’s a boys’ high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Do you live in California? Thanks for the sweet comments — I hope you stick around!
xo mw
AI is an okay movie. The first hour of the movie is great, but then it goes downhill.
I just saw AVATAR today, simply amazing film.
AI is so problematic but when I watch it I just see what I wish it were…
So Avatar is good? I kept confusing it with the Last Airbender movie.
xo mw
haha, yeah, lots of people get AVATAR and AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER mixed up. I think ‘The Last Airbender’ will simply be called that when the movie comes out.
AVATAR has mixed reviews. I don’t know about you, but I loved it. but then again, James Camerone is my favourite big-studio filmmaker.
YAY post! And so many holiday reds & greens in this post. Say hi to Chris for me & have fun in New Orleans (or hi Chris if you are reading this.)
love, Jenny
PS You’re too sweet for getting me a present!!
love love love
xo mw
Ooh, that last dress looks gorgeous! And red velvet cupcakes? Yum!
We put an entire bottle of red food coloring into the cupcakes, so they were extra, extra red. (And very delicious!)
xo mw
hey this is a real nice post and i also like your blogs’ layout too, have bookmarked your site and will be looking for more updates.
Thanks! I’m thinking of talking to someone to help us redesign the layout so that we can post bigger pictures… so glad you stopped by!
xo mw
wow, that new* dress is so gorgeous!