He's NOT sewing

Would you look at that.

Someone is fixing his own darn jacket... the one he begged me to mend for two months.

BUT -

Don't you dare say he is "sewing."

OH NO!

PatrickinPortland is "mending."

I think he might have enjoyed this exercise a bit to much.

The next post will likely be on me fighting him for sewing/mending machine time.

(Note his concentration.)

Back at it

After a 17 month hiatus due to graduate school and laziness... wait for it...

The sewing machine was brought back out!

Partly under pressure from PatrickinPortland in order to fix something for him, and partly out of a craving to do something creative, I drug the machine down off the shelf, dusted it off and set out to remind myself how to use it. The methodical sound of the stitching was, in a way, soothing as I set out to make one of the few things I know how: an apron.

I think I'll finally keep this one. It goes against my nature of wanting to share them, but seeing as this was my first one in a while and it's not quite perfect... I can't stand to give it away. I'm working on another one now with... get this... a pattern! I've never used one of those things before! I don't cut in straight lines so, we'll see how that goes.

December Day

After too much Christmas Eve Morn brunch... PatrickinPortland suggested a quick hike.


With the largest city park right in our backyard, we set out on a brisk walk. The colors, even slightly muted by the bright sunlight, were so eye-catching I couldn't help but try to capture them. The pictures just don't do this gorgeous, chilly December day justice.

The "Madmen" Me

We're in the Newspaper!!!

I don't remember posing for this!

Honestly - it could not be more accurate!

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 cooked 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: