Back from Texas

But not before tormenting my aunt's poor puppy, Theo, first:

December

I've been home for a couple days but leave again today for Christmas in Texas. I'm soooo excited!

The last few weeks have been insane, I've been living in hotels during the week and at home on the weekends. Miami was a lot of fun and I actually did go to (most of) the sessions. However, I couldn't resist spending my lunch breaks on the sand, so I would often come back after lunch with sandy feet or wet hair.

Last week we trekked up to Wasthington DC for the Expert Panel meeting on soy formula. It was a crazy week with some long hours, but I had a great time. The day we left we had to drive through the start of the huge snowstorm that hit the east coast. It took 9 hours to drive back (usually 4.5) and was very slow, lots of cars were piled up in the ditch. The airports were shut down as well, so I'm glad we didn't fly.

Quite the opposite of my previous week.

Today I am off to visit the family in Texas and the week after I'm going to New York City with Liz to celebrate New Years!

Merry Christmas!!!

Stand-up

I took a stand-up comedy class and performed my material in a show last week at Dirty South Improv in Carrboro.

It was taped and posted on Rooftop Comedy.



http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/watch/KaylaTaylorDec4th2009

Unfortunately I am now known as Kayla Taylor

Enjoy!

Miami, Day 2

On no! I missed my boat!

Miami Beach, Day 1

I arrived in Miami Beach yesterday. It is the land of smarmy waiters, high priced cocktails and gorgeous beaches. Luckily my conference didn't start until this evening so I was able to explore and experience the local culture.

The beach in front of the hotel
Parasailor, I wish that were me.
The terrible view from the balcony of my room....yes my own balcony.
Art galleries and shopping (I could not afford the high prices)
Me working hard!
Man collecting coconuts!

Madtown Thanksgiving Vacay

Last Wednesday I flew from RDU to Madison, WI for Thanksgiving vacay! I was met at the airport by Mali (only 20 minutes late) and we went straight to the grocery store to pick up some essential ingredients for my special surprise southern traditional meal that has been in the family for thousands of years!

We gathered at the house to settle in and then went over to Matt's so the Christgaus, the Moores, the Taylor and the Babs could meet, drink and mingle.
After the rents left we hit the Old Fashioned, one of my fav Wisconsin bars, for some local beers and local martinis.

The next day was Thanksgiving!!! We were awoken in the middle of the night (10am) by the sounds of parents coming over to start the festivities.

Sean started the TWO turkeys
Matt drank too much
Mali's dad sneakily watched the Packers game while pretending to play cards.
Sean's dad stole all my money in poker.
The dogs went crazy
And I began cooking my surprise traditional southern famous meal. What did I make????

Why, pig's tails and pig's feet of course! I don't know why anyone didn't want to eat them...

Sean made a joke that he was going to eat a "Tater Tot"
But Tater didn't think it was very funny
Finally we ate.
The next day I hit the early sales with the Christgaus, but the lines were too long so I didn't end up buying anything. Sean and Tater tried to recover from all the food/booze from the day before.
Friday night I got to be a special guest in the Monkey Business Institute Improv Show!! It was awesome and so much fun. Before the show, Mali and I exchanged gifts! I got so many socks!!!
On Saturday I did some X-mas shopping with my cultured New York friend Mickey. He is so sophisticated he wears a fancy pizza eating bib.
Mickey and Lucy didn't get along very well.
Later we just took lots of embarassing pictures of Lucy.*

I had such a fantastic weekend! It was great seeing all my good mid-western friends again and their families (and their dogs). Miss you guys! :)

*I would like to apologize to Lucy for exploiting her adorableness, I just couldn't help it.