I spend my Sundays with these crazy people.

One word:

Cyclocross

Catching Up!

So... thanks to facebook and twitter, I seem to have been ignoring the blog.

The Chic Chick has been a bit busy these days... no time to craft.

I have cooke a few delicious items over the last few weeks... here's a quick catch up.

Comment if you want the recipes:

Stuffed Winter Squash:

Potato Latkes:

Pecan Cinnamon Rolls:
Homemade Biscuit Sandwich:
Fresh Blueberry Pie:
Spicy Asian Citrus Salmon:

Shout Out

2009 M.A. alumni from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

We've launched a blog to highlight some of our work.

www.columbiaMA2009.blogspot.com

Please bookmark and check from time to read/watch solid journalism from around the world.

Always impressed by them.

Across America Redux: South Dakota

By the time we made it through North Dakota and in to the South one... we were bored.

The eastern part of the state offers a dismal view of vastness.  1880 did provide a bit of inspiration.  We're planning to build 1980 town across the way as competition.  Trust me... 1980 is waaaaayyyy cooler!

I will say South Dakota impressed us the closer we go toward the West.  The Badlands National Park was never on my "must-see" list.  Boy - was I wrong.  Have YOU seen it?  WOW!

Numerous friends said, "Oh!  You have to go to Wall Drug Store!"

The only place in the country where you have your choice of Jackalope paraphernalia: 

And this type of "art?"

Enough of that... and on to this:

Even with the sun in the absolute worst spot... the view was impressive.

Across America Redux: Final Stretch

Racing a nearing empty tank, grumbling stomachs and fading daylight... we ventured off the highway to see the infamous Devil's Tower in Wyoming.  This was as close as we chose to get.  Trust me - it's still quite far away, but quite impressive.

The next morning we ventured in to Yellowstone National Park for some incredible and eye-popping scenery.

Leave it to me to make a poor shoe decision.  While it was almost June... I forgot we were in the MOUNTAINS!  Note the snow:

FINALLY - a BUFFALO!!!! We waited three states to see this!

Sigmund - not too impressed.

Until we got to the Teton National Park.  Unbelievable.  It takes a lot to put me in awe... this was it.  They shoot straight up out of nowhere.  We had to pull over because PDX2NYC Photog and I couldn't take our eyes off of them.

3,600+ miles later: HOME.

This is 14 states worth of bugs...

And my entire NYC apartment (minus furniture) in the back to unpack.

Catching up... Graduation

The culmination of nine months of intense work and extreme adventure in the big city.  Graduation Day from Columbia University.

Do I look smarter?

You're looking at some of the most talented up-and-coming journalists in the country and around the world.  New York, South Africa, Denmark, Mexico, China, India...

Congratulations!

Catching up... NYC

I know, I know... I'm so behind in my blogging.  It's hard to believe I've been back three months.  I won't go through and post ALL my photos from NYC, but here are some highlights.  This was my first trip to Brooklyn (Ya - I waited until my last month to get off the island).  This is a really cool bar called "Camp."  You obviously get the theme.

Hunting...

And smores!!!!!

Mmmmmmmmmm!

Very cool.  Ok - I like Brooklyn, too.

A TV Lady's Lair

OBSCENE!

For a rare day, my suits are not crumpled on the floor and hung in place.

But that allowed me to do some counting and I'm a bit sick.

I have enough suits... JUST SUITS... to wear a different one every single day for two months.

That's not counting all the sweaters, dresses and shirts I wear.

Next time I complain about not having something to wear...

Slap me!

(Or just open the closet door and remind me.)

Coast to Coast in 2.5 minutes

Ever wanted to travel across country... in 2.5 minutes?
Here's the video of the trip PDX2NYCPhotog and I took home from NYC back to Portland, OR.

I like this lady:

The Portland Mercury discovered this posted on SE Belmont.

I also spit out my coffee when I saw this today!

Back to blogging

My life is settling down after being away from PDX for nine months.  It's been a hectic adjustment from reporter to student and back to reporter.  I've spent the last six weeks catching up on my life.  It's so odd to have everything pick right back up where you left it.  I'll aim to get back to blogging here and for Sigmund, but only if you are all still reading!  I know it's been forever - forgive me!  Here's my first post back... check out the new specs.  My first "gucci" item!  I would like more to come, please.

Dusk in NYC

11th floor balcony, chilly spring night, camera - and a few of the shots!

I'm going to miss the scenery around this place.  Less than one month left...

We Survived!

April 20th came and went... and we survived.  The M.A. thesis was due this week and I'm so very glad it's done and over.  Now - on to all the other assignments and life duties I've neglected

But - before that - my classmates and I had to celebrate.

Lots of laughs a top the 11th floor balcony of LC's apartment on the UWS.  This is by far my favorite neighborhood.

Website!

I've put my website development plans on hold - for now - until I can complete my thesis. Until then, I'm forced to use Wordpress to create a simple portfolio: anitakissee.com

Anita Kissee - Funny Hairstyles!

While editing all this video I found funny clips of all the different hair styles I've had over the years. Too bad I didn't keep more. Believe it or not - it was even shorter! There also seems to be a huge gap between the short and long. I must not have liked the middle stage! I'll have to go back and find a few more.

Vespa Chicks!

I FINALLY got a few videos up on blip.

This isn't my BEST story, but a fun one!  I also added some others, if you're bored.

Ha Ha... Real Funny!

New York is such a comedian!

It's hard to tell by this bad cell phone picture, but that's snow!

Oh ya - did I mention it's the first day of spring?

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Every time I leave my apartment, I get sad.

My time here's almost over.

Hmmm...

I guess in New York City, it's ok to have a mesh-wearing male belly dancer.  He was quite good, judging by the cash around his chest.

Tah-Tah-Tennessee

Sometimes you have to get out of the big city to really get a "feel" for America.  Patrick and I spent a little time in Clarksville, TN.  His new employer is based in Nashville.  Conveniently, I had several people I wanted to include in my thesis here!  It's a charming town about an hour outside Nashville.

And the "sights" were impressive:

Trip to Toronto

Documentary filmmaking (I just like saying that - you all know it's just my thesis) took me to Toronto, Canada in January.  This was the lovely view from my hotel window:

PDX2NYC assisted me on this trip in exchange for a ticket and hotel.  (good deal!)  With only one interview, we rented a car and played tourist for the day.  Niagara Falls is stunning even in winter.  

The ice formations from the spray were each a piece of art.

And check out the darling gloves she found!  I can't wait to see her wear those on the subway or the vespa!

They grow them big here!

Subway companion at 4 a.m.

1981 primitive Internet report on KRON

WOW! If we only knew then, what we knew now. We might all still have jobs! (You have to get to the end and hear the last two lines!) BITE YOUR TONGUE!

This is what I've been up to:

Putting my Columbia education and funding to work!

Fun with Photoshop!

(Actually learning to use it so I can create my own multi-media websites!)

NOT Times Square

No - I didn't brave Times Square on New Year's Eve.  Instead, with all the doom and gloom around NYC because of the stock market, we ventured out to one of the city's many 1929 parties.  Fortunately, with the state of my bank account, I was able to repurpose my Betty Boop Halloween costume from 2006 and turn it into a flapper-esque outfit.  The mask is new.

The party was a blast - fun vintage music, fire dancers, you name it.

Welcome 2009!