The Freshest Start There Is

Hello, Readers!
I apologize dearly for my longer than intended hiatus from blogging.  But please know that I've been jotting and storing ideas for my blog all along, and will do my best to post at least once a week while back in school!  Today's post is dedicated to all the little babies that have joined us in 2010!

Meet Javier:

Javier was born to proud parents, Sarah and Gabriel on November 24th.  (Sarah is an Occupational Therapist at GWU Hospital -- one of my favorite former co-workers!) From what I gather thus far, Javi's hobbies are sleeping with a smile on his face and showing off his dimple.  This one's gonna be a soccer-playing heartbreaker, ladies.  Keep your girls inside the house when Javi's in town!


Sarah + Gabriel = Javier.  The Laryeas :)


Next, Meet Claire:

Claire was born on December 15th, to parents Katy and Mike.  (Katy is a friend of mine from my first graduate school go-around at GWU.) I selected this photo of Claire because I admire her relaxed sleeping style, with both hands behind the head.  

To reference Katy's baby announcements, what a good and perfect gift :) 

Katy + Mike (below)

Finally, Meet Max:

 
Little Max was born on December 8 to proud and lovely parents, Amanda and Bobby.  (You know them.  They're my buds from Kalamazoo.)  In addition to fulfilling his role as a super-cute baby and son.... Max is also a little brother!!

Sitting watchfully next to Max is Brady, Amanda and Bobby's first son who is awesome at hockey, reading books, and is a natural at big brotherhood. You're a lucky dude, Max.  Way to go!

Check out Amanda and Bobby below! :) 

Congratulations to all happy families... what a nice way to ring on the New Year! 

And Happy 2011 to all of you!

-NL 

It's the Most Wonderful Time... of the Semester....

I'm being sarcastic.  Things are piling up all around me!  Books to read, papers to write, novel excerpts due to professor, editing assignments due to other writers.... things are pretty hairy here at The Nan Stop.  So, I gave Gordon and Tinger the week off.  Gordon is visiting his grandparents in Rhode Island, and stopping by a farm to see if he can get some eggs to freshen up his face.  Tinger is at an unknown location, because we are under a security alert at this time.  Why you ask?  Because apparently, in the wake of Tinger's fame, several restaurants have been offering foods where the main ingredient is...TINGA.  Ahh!!  Look at this investigative photo sent to me from one of my best readers, Cindy.

Do you see this?!  Spicy Tinga Quesadilla!! What kind of sick person eats a Tinger?  I don't know.  But quite frankly, Gordon, Tinger and I don't want to find out.  So until this whole situation clears up, Tinger's gonna be out of the picture for a bit.  Yes, she's aware she owes a Dedicated Post to Alyx Voytilla for her Contest-winning photo, and Tinger promises to deliver!!  

Oh, if you're wondering why the Tinga Quesadilla photo is a little hazy, it's because Faithful Reader Cindy has been doing all of her investigation under-cover.  Of course, we wouldn't want her to get all mixed up in this!  Next thing you know, Wendy's will come out with the Asian Chicken and Cindy Salad. Noo!!  So here are some of the disguises Cindy wears when she heads out to dig up the dirt on this new Tinga craze. (Don't worry.  I'm not blowing her cover.  She would NEVER repeat a disguise. That's a rookie investigator mistake if she's ever heard one!)

Here she is hiding in someone's garden.  Apparently they were throwing their child a birthday party and possibly serving some kind of Tinga Pizza. 

Here's another at a Pro Basketball Game.  Cindy is quite athletic, so she tried out for the team just so she could follow a tip regarding Chicken Tingas and Fried Tinga Wings they serve at the post-game team parties.  

And finally, here she is in Paris.  Yes.  CIndy went all the way to Paris.  And grew a mustache.  And bought a monocle. That she wears on top of her glasses. Evidently, if there is a new food craze, the Parisians want in on it.  Cindy's got the low-down.... and due to her efforts, we are closer and closer to ensuring Tinger's safety!! Tinger is so grateful to her!  What a loyal and loving best friend! :)

I'll leave you now, knowing that I probably won't get a chance to write again for a week or so.  But please email me or send along comments to let me know how you're doing!  And thank you to everyone who sent concerned "What's going on with the Nan Stop?" emails and posts.  We like to know you care.  :)  xoxo

-NL

OH DAMN! YOU SO SPOOGLY!!

Dear Readers,

It.... is....now TIME..... 

to reveal....

the First Ever WINNER....

of Tinger's Halloween Spoogly Face Contest!!!
WHOO!!

This contestant squeaked through a vicious three-way tie with a single vote (that was ironically cast by another contestant in the three-way tie!!)  Before I announce the winner, I would like to thank the 6 contestants who so bravely let me plaster their contorted faces on my blog!!  The two Sarahs, Alyx, Aaron, Cyrus, and Kevin... you are the best!!  

And also... a special shout out to everyone who voted!!  

Here are some random photos of the voters....to help build up  some suspense for our announcement....

Here I am with my sister, Eunia.  She voted for Aaron...

Below, a photo of voter Sara W.... 

who selected Sarah A's photo for spoogliest!

And here is my brother-in-law, Han.... 

..... who voted for our WINNER..... drumroll please.....

AND THE WINNER OF TINGER'S 2010 HALLOWEEN CONTEST IS.....

Contestant # 2....

ALYX!!!  

ALYX!!!

ALYX!!

Congratulations, Alyx!!  The voting democracy chose you!!  Within the next week, The Nan Stop will give you your very own dedicated post, along with an autographed photo of Tinger, which you will receive via postal mail!  Thanks again to everyone.... and with this image of Alyx in your minds.... I bid you all an evening full of frightening dreams and a Happy Halloween!!

-NL

Monster Loves Presents!! Growl!!

The title of this blog is a reference to a gift my sister once gave me: a little pad of paper with a funny gremlin on it that said, "Monster Loves Presents."  Because, boy, oh, boy... I do!  I always have, ever since I was a wee child.  So yesterday, after coming home from a very very very long and tedious day of editing the first chapters of my novel, I went to check my mail.  (Ever since I made all my bills "paperless".... I love checking the mail.  Crate and Barrel catalogs.... The Ann Arbor Coupon Clipper.... cards from friends... love it all!)  So anyway, there was a little key in my mailbox yesterday, which indicates that I had a package locked in one of the bigger lockboxes.  Nice!!

To my delight.... it appears.... that Tinger has gotten her first piece of fan mail!!!  Oh my gosh.  Tinger was beside herself yesterday. Although we didn't open the package right at the mailbox, it appeared the packaging got a little torn in transit... so we peaked inside and took our first glimpses of an ingenious Halloween-themed Fan Gift for Tinger. I could barely get back to my apartment to open the package because Tinger was experiencing waves of excitement, flattery, and teariness that manifested into a moderate foot cramp.  "C'mon Tinger, get yourself together...Let's check this out!"

So here it is.... Tinger's first Fan mail.  ALL the way from Beautiful D.C.!!!  From none other than two of her biggest fans... Jenny Sullivan and Matt Seiler.... the newly married, smokin' hot super-couple who hail from our nation's capital!

TINGER PUPPETS.  Seriously?  I have no idea what I could possibly give Tinger that would be better than this!!  Look at all the little colorful Tinger Sweaters!  Equipped with googley eyes, buttons, pipe cleaners and felt in various colors.... along with a guide filled with hilarious ideas... this gift is the schizz!!  I won't lie.  I laughed so hard when I saw this... but then the laughter kind of folded into teariness.  Because if you think about this in a concrete way.... my friends sent an awesome, thoughtful and hilarious gift.... to my toe.  Chokes me up when I think about it.  :)   I'm gonna guess not everyone has friends like these.   Thank you Sullivan/Seilers.  Tinger love love loves this present.  And I love the creativity, humor, and thoughtfulness behind it.  xoxo

Other presents I've gotten recently.... yes.... from THE DENTIST!  Now let's take a look at the "Welcome Bag" I got after my check-up the other day....

Pretty fancy, right?  What was inside, you ask?  

Legit free stuff!!  Mug, magnet, mints, and a really nice pen that I've adopted into daily use.  But even better that this bag of swag, is the gift I picked up from Dr. Shariff yesterday.... my awesome new soft bite guard!!  He even let me keep the impression that he made of my teeth!  (Here, you'll find a Halloween-themed photo show of my new dental gifts:

This last series I call, "Disembodied Maxilla from your Nightmares."

And in the mode of Halloween.... I think I scared my new dentist.... (A sweet Middle Eastern man, about 5'6'' tall, with perfect English spoken in a charming accent.)

"Dr. Shariff.  This is great. It fits perfectly."
"Good."
"Hey, what are you going to do with that mold you made of my teeth?"
"Well, we have two.  One we put in your file.  The other we use to store the bite guard so it keeps its shape."
"Oh.  So what are you going to do with that second one now that I've picked up my guard?"
"They are considered part of your personal medical information, so we destroy it and dispose of it."
"Oh. That's a shame. Can I keep it?"
"What?"
"Can I keep it?"
"I don't see why not.  Do you mind me asking why you want it?"
"Halloween decoration."
"Okay.  You're all set Ms. Lee.  See you again in January for your crown appointment."
"Thank you!!  Nice...."

Happy Friday, Y'all!
-NL

Fall Into October With Dana!

Ladies and Gentle-readers, It is my pleasure to introduce you to the WINNER of our very first Tinger's Corner Contest!!  Dana Holcman!!  Dana... this is your post!

Here are two photos of Dana with her big brother, Brad.  One, from childhood, and the other, from when they are all grown!! 

 

As you can see, they are loving and loyally devoted siblings and have been all their lives.  

Also, they are Michigan graduates and remain big fans!  Go Blue!!

Dana and I met and became good friends during our days at Walled Lake Western High School, where we both actively participated in Student Council.  Dana was also a member of Ski Club and was on the Tennis Team.  Here, I shall recall a conversation I once had with Dana about playing Tennis:

Nania: Hey, Dana.  You're good at tennis, right?

Dana: Well, I mean. I'm okay.

Nania: Cool.  I really want to learn tennis.  Will you play with me some time?

Dana: No.

Nania: What? 

Dana:  No.  

Nania: Oh.  Why not?

Dana: Because I like to actually play.  When you play with someone who doesn't know what they are doing, you don't actually get to play.  It's boring. 

Nania: Oh. Well, I thought you just said you're only "okay" at tennis.

Dana: I was just being modest.

Nania: Oh.  Okay.  See you in Calculus.

Dana: Cool. See ya. 

Dana, you may not recall this conversation, but it is quite possibly one of my favorite high school interactions, and I laugh quite a bit whenever I think back on it. My readers who don't know Dana may be thinking, "Oh.  This Dana girl is kind of mean!"  You couldn't be more wrong!  She is actually exceedingly nice, good-humored, universally well-liked by everyone who meets her... just straight-forward.  This is one of my favorite things about Dana... she is refreshingly honest, goes directly from point A to point B, and you always know where you stand with her.  I mean, if Dana hadn't just come out and said, "I don't play tennis with beginners," she and I would likely have gone through a series of awkward phone conversations and hallway interactions where I persistently asked her about playing tennis together and she persistently changed the subject.  

And if we ever did end up playing, Dana would have likely stood there patiently as I ran to and fro without being able to return a single serve, dodged tennis balls, and then tired-out after 20 minutes.

Instead, we were able to devote that time to doing things we both enjoyed.  Like eating delicious food, doing stuff for student council, and calling each other names. 

Nania Lee-Head Pee-Head, is one of my favorites. 

Dana currently lives in Chicago, IL, and works at a.... job.  I would tell you what she does, but despite the fact that she dedicated a good amount of time explaining it to me in clearly and with visual aids (I'm not kidding), I'm still not exactly sure what it is.  It's very fancy, businessy, and I guarantee she is excellent at it.  She also enjoys playing on an intramural kickball team called, "Kicki-Longstocking."  Her former team name was "Greenorrhea." Hahhah. Personally, I like the former better.

Here are some more pics of Dana:

Having a Good Ski.

Enjoying Las Vegas with Toni Braxton.

Getting Called Out for a Knock-Off Purchase.

And of course, here with Doogie Howser.

Now, I would like to introduce everybody's favorite Maltese Poodle Mix.... ROOKIE!!  Whoo!!! This is Dana's dog.  I would go on and on about how adorable and hilarious he is, but I shall let the photos speak for themselves. 

DOGGIE SPECS: ARF!

Full Name: Rookie Holcman

Date of Birth: December 12, 2004

Age: 5, soon to be 6. 

Place of Birth: Long Beach, CA.  As you can see, he has Long Beach in his blood -- as he is very chill and summer-loving. 

Oh, Rookie is also cleans up nicely.  (Notice the round-headed grooming that Dana has selected for him.) When he is not out enjoying the cool breeze of an afternoon car ride, he is quite chic and sophisticated:

Rookie's Hobbies: Eating Dingo Rawhides, playing fetch, hanging out with his doggie friends, and also playing with his favorite Monkey, Meshugeneh. (Sound that out.  Ma-shoog-in-uh!  Ha.) In the photo below, Dana seems to be under the impression that Rookie is "playing" with his friends.  Clearly, she walked in on some sort of Doggie Council Meeting and they are just trying to play it off.

I can basically guarantee you that the little dog up front is sitting on a note pad of some kind. 

Finally, here is Rookie's Senior Picture.  Senior from what?  I'm not sure:

Hail to the Victors, Rookie!!

I shall end this post with some very pressing interview questions that I posed to Dana via email.  That way, she will get to end this entry in her own words!  

(So as for me, I'd just like to once again thank Dana and all of the kind participants for entering this first Tinger's Corner Contest!  There will certainly be more contests to come!  Happy Friday!)

1. Dana, what is your favorite Television Show? This is tough. I love TV. When I was younger, Saved By The Bell. College years-Dawsons Creek. Now-Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, So You Think You Can Dance.

2. What is the most delicious meal you've eaten recently?: Actually last week when my Dad was here. We went to Mercadito-wonderful tacos and guacamole. Then the next night had an amazing 9 course dinner at Sunda. We particularly enjoyed their crispy cauliflower side dish and crispy brussel sprout salad. 

3: Would you rather have a bellybutton that dispenses ketchup or a nostril that could sharpen pencils? Easy-bellybutton dispensing ketchup. Who uses pencils these days? Plus, I have chicken scratch handwriting so they'd be of no use to me. :)

4. Since this is a writerly blog, please tell me....what is/are your favorite book/books? The Bible. Just Kidding! Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, Eloise by Kay Thompson & Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon and right now I'm reading The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein which I'm loving so far.

5.  When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? I believe it was a bus driver - no joke.

6. Finally, anything else that you would like the Nan Stoppers to know about you? I feel blessed to have such great friends and family in my life and can't wait to be an aunt in January. Oh! And, my birthday is April 27- gifts are welcome.

-NL

Headline: Beautiful and Amazing Friend Marries a Prudent Man

This past July, I had the privilege of being the Maid of Honor in my very best friend Cindy's wedding. 

Because Cindy is such a big part of my life, I was going to do a blog about her.  But as I started to jot some notes on things I'd want to include, the blog entry started looking less like a testimony of our friendship, and more like an online dating profile.  (Name: Cindy, Height: 5'3, Hobbies: eating, laughing)  You get the idea. So instead, I decided to ask Cindy if it would be alright to post the Maid of Honor speech that I gave at her wedding.  Now, I know it's not polite to tell someone how much you toiled and suffered in order to prepare something for them (and I know Cindy is reading right now, so I'm basically telling her).... so all I'll say is that this one was a nail-biter.  The task of defining such a wonderful, life-changing friendship in approximately 5 minutes... quite daunting.  Along with that, I wanted to say something to Cyrus, her husband, because after years of disliking many of Cindy's past boyfriends, Cyrus was a perfect and much-welcome addition to her life.  And I wasn't sure I had ever expressed that to him.  During the three weeks preceeding the wedding, I edited this speech 8 times.  Two of those edits resulted in completely new speeches.  On the eve of the wedding, after practicing this speech over and over and over... I thought, "Well, there it is.  That's the speech my Cindy deserves."  

Good evening! About 14 years ago, Cindy and I shared a very traumatic experience.  In fact, when I think about it now, it takes me back to a really dark place.  The experience was... Driver's Ed.  It's actually a miracle Cindy and I are here today. This experience was especially traumatic for me, because although we were just learning and didn't know what the heck we were doing, the one thing Cindy was sure about, was that she wanted to drive FAST.  I, on the other hand, didn't take to Driver's Ed with the same enthusiasm Cindy did.  Now, I'm not trying to perpetuate any negative Asian stereotypes... especially not at this wedding... but I'll just say that every terrible thing you've heard about Asian drivers was 100% true about me.  I was panicky, slow, and had really remarkable on-the-spot decision making skills.

Now, there was one event from driver’s ed that really sticks with me. 

I was in the driver’s seat. Cindy was sitting behind me and I could see her little face in my rear view, ready for another low-speed fear-fest.  And basically what happened was I had pulled onto the freeway for the very first time.... and our really big, scary driving instructor started saying, "Merge!  Speed up and merge!" because we were coming up on a shoulder.  But, there was a garbage truck coming up on my right!  He was insistent that this merge was going to happen.  “Now! Now!” he yelled.  So I got really nervous, gripped the steering wheel, made this sound: eeeeeeeeh..... and then when I went to change lanes, I … I closed my eyes. 

Now I can't tell you exactly what happened next because my eyes were closed. But I know it was bad because after much commotion my teacher said this: 

"Damnit! How could you be so stupid?!" And then he pointed at me and said, "You…God! So stupid! How could you do that?" 

Granted, the guy was right.  I could've gotten us killed.  But were were kids and telling a kid that they’re stupid definitely has an effect.  It hurt my feelings. And I started to cry.  What I wanted to say was, "I'm not stupid. I’m a three-time spelling bee champion."  But instead, in true Nania form, I didn't say anything.  And then I looked back at Cindy to see if she was okay.  Cindy didn't look frightened or worried.  She looked pissed.  And kind of under her breath, but just loud enough so I could here her, she said, "She did it because she was scared.  Not stupid.  And I think we should try to make her feel better.  Not worse."  

And then she put her little hand on my shoulder.  We were 15. 

Now I'm not going to be cheesy and say that was the moment I knew Cindy was my best friend.  But it was the moment I knew I wanted to be just like her.  Because Cindy has always been a really tough person, and I'm pretty sure that she always stuck up for herself... but I am absolutely certain that she always stood up for me.

Cindy, you taught me about confidence.  About how to make decisions that felt right to me instead of in the eyes of other people.  You showed me that I was someone worth standing up for. And you taught me how to be brave when faced with challenges and tremendous loss. 

And in those moments when I just couldn’t get my act together and I couldn’t be strong… you were always right behind me.  And with you there, I’ve always felt like I could do anything.  Even drive.  You and I have lived in different cities for over 10 years now… but Cindy, I take you with me everywhere. And so today, it's my honor to stand behind you... to celebrate what a truly amazing person you are.  I couldn’t be more proud or happy for you on this day. 

*

Cyrus.  Did you guys know that Cyrus writes a blog?  Well, I read it.  It's called Notes from a Prudent Man.  I'm just gonna give you some examples of what he’s written.  He recently reviewed the 10 films that were nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Here’s a quick snippet from his review of the movie Precious:

"Precious – This would be the story of the guy in “The Blind Side” if he was a girl and wasn’t good at football, but was just as big."

In a later entry, he suggests different Thank You Card messages for wedding presents, such as: “Dear Milo and Lindsey, Thank you so much for the food processor and the electric kettle!  We can’t wait to exchange them for store credit.”  

Here’s another one: “We’re sorry to hear you won’t be able to make it to our wedding.  Hopefully you’ll be able to come to one of our second weddings.”

But in that same blog, while writing about wedding preparation, Cyrus discusses Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet 17.  I won’t read it, but Neruda uses darkness repeatedly as an image to describe intimate love – and oftentimes people struggle to understand it.  In his “struggle” Cyrus says “To me it seems like Neruda is trying to say that he doesn't believe in the theatrical love that people are often conditioned to expect. But he believes in love, and believes it to be a deeper connection that goes to the core of a person and cannot be explained so lightly.”

Cyrus, I’ve always thought that the person who ended up with Cindy would have to be truly unique.  And you are.  Not only because you very eloquently examined Pablo Neruda’s definition of love in the very same blog where you posted a picture of your friend sleeping on the sidewalk after your bachelor party…. but you’re uniquely smart, warm, and good-natured, you’re the type of person who reaches out to outsiders and makes them feel included and comfortable.

And I think the most unique thing about you is that you genuinely seem to like every single person you meet.  It’s actually really annoying.  But as far as my complaints about Cyrus go, that’s all I got.  And of course, you make Cindy happy and that’s what’s most important.

So right now.... I’d like to ask all of you to raise your glasses – first in congratulations to the Iranis and the Park family.  And of course, to Cindy and Cyrus on this wonderful occasion!  Cheers!

*

Love you, Cindy! - NL