Waiting for Godot and Me

I am on a trip to NYC with Julia and her entire family. 

It has been quite an experience already. The car trip was 5 of us --3 adults, 1 toddler and 1 baby-- in an SUV. We listened to the most random mix of music ever conceptualized or created by mankind. The trip was kind of long, but the end result was totally worth it. 

Julia kept saying "New York City! New York City! New York City!" She was wowed by the height of the buildings. I asked her "Julia, do you feel really small here or larger than life?" She replied, "I feel Medium than life, Yet-ish [Alexis]."

Very matter of fact. She fits right in.

I went to see "Waiting for Godot" with Jay and Sarah's Mom, Susan, which was total fun! Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin were amazing. Their timing was perfect. The play was hilarious and good times were had. 

I couldn't remember where I had read/seen the play before last night until Act 2 Scene 1. The main characters, Vladimir and Go-Go come out of their respective areas and V. says "You again! Come here until I embrace you!" 

Acting class! I remember my friend Becca use to say that ALL the time! She and Adam had a scene to do and this was it! Memory restored, laughs had, now I have to contact Becca!

This morning I woke up at 7:20 to the sound of Julia's voice yelling "Yeh-ish!" over and over. She and I are "roomies" a word that she is thrilled to have acquiesced from my vocabulary (one of my many fabu words). We watched "Sesame Street" as a special treat and then called her mother so I could sleep in.

I went to the Met today. The day was nice so the walk was fine and the museum had great exhibits. 

I'm done being on the computer now. Sorry to be anti-climactic but I gotz to get my NYC on~! 

:)

Seatbelt Test

The seat belts passed Julia's test: "The Super Fun Seatbelt Test"

Back With My Girls YO

After a month of traveling, hanging out, moving boxes and straight chillin' in Easton, I have returned to helping out with Julia "J-dawg" and Katharine Carlander. They both have grown immensly and I am so happy to see them again!
We had a fun day of outings and innings. We did pretending and "real-ing" as Julia put it.
She is talking very well now as is Katharine--baby talk that is!

They have been off in Santa Barbara for a month with their Mommy, getting tan and playing at the park. Now, they are back in Salisbury where the sun never shines and there's enough rain to wash away all the happiness you could ever get--just kidding--but really.
Lol

From Bed

I am sick today--
I am trying to make myself stay in bed. It's a difficult task because I'm more of an "on the go" type of person. I guess this sickness is the Universe's cruel way of telling me to sit the hell down.
Also, the little playground at the mall yesterday could have something to do with it.


See that kid in the background?
Yeah, he's not a kid. He's a little cesspool of germs, probably some spores too. Here's a more realistic picture of hanging out in the playground.

I don't think his melting, leper face is the reason I'm sick... I think it's something I ate. But non-the-less, that kid had a nasty face full of germs.
Some of the kids were being pushy and forceful... not cool. Luckily Julia is more of an observer, so she just got awkwardly close to their faces and checked that shit. The kid was like, wtf? and left her alone. I like her style.
If the kids had pushed her or a mom yelled at her, I would have gone off. I'm not really a confrontational person, but I don't let people mess with the kids I watch. Just ask Ethan... NO WAY José.


I think with my time in my room I am going to watch Rossellini's Open City and Selznick's Gone With the Wind. I haven't seen either film before and everyone likes to give me shit when I talk film but haven't seen GWTW. To all of those people... suck it. I bet you've never seen a Swedish film from 1939 or Rossellini's Europa '51. Yeah, while you were busy watching racism and sexism at it's best I was watching women take charge in Sweden and Italy.
Now that I have that out in the open, I can begin my journey into the seen and the scene. Get it?

I'll probably post a lot today... maybe I'll make a vid... maybe not... depends how I feel... check in again soon!

24 Hours of Excitement

I had a good 24 hours of my life containing grade A drama.
#1. The water stopped working at our house.
For this I will show you my painting of an octopus that I painted today... I am proud of it.

By Alexis Monica Morrell :)

Jeff called me while I was contained on the luxury vehicle ...la autobus... with the SU Lax team (We beat Hood College 21-0... go us!). I didn't check my messages until after I called him... the message was frantic and un-informative. The talk... close to the same but more informative. He started out the conversation with
"You know how you were plunging the toilet and the shower?..."
and I said... "wait, before you tell me anything else, is it my fault?"
The answer: "No."
After more roundabout talking, I came to find that our pipes were messed up and that they had turned off the water. I would have to find a place to stay since peeing in the yard is unacceptable in our society, especially in town.

#2. Sarah and Jay put me up for the night. I watched the Oscars with them and then slept on the pull out. All was well and though I was a refugee of 412 Somerset, my camp was 5 star.

The next morning I awoke (thank God this isn't where the drama is right?). I went out to use their working toilet and Julia spotted me. The child's face lit up and she said "Yeh-eesh, you sleeping?" I told her that yes I had stayed there and that I hadn't brought a scone due to my late awakening. She was fine with that and thrilled to have me as a guest... the day was normal until...

#3. Julia was running around and being her normal self when she tripped on either the rug or her high-chair. She fell towards me and a chair. She BONKED her face against the cross bars of the chair and immediately started bleeding from her cheek. She cried like any other "owee" but when Sarah bandaged it, the cut wouldn't cease bleeding. After a little while Sarah called over the neighbor who has 4 children to analyze the gash.
After a look and a story about her 7 year old grabbing a razor blade, we belted in the car seats and fled to the immediate care center.

We waiting in a sespool of germs known as the waiting room for about an hour. Katharine was silent the whole time, but I think her actions really tell all of our general opinions of the place...
Thow up that bird Katharine.
(She didn't make a peep the entire time!)


Julia with her bloody bandaide.

We went into the doctor's office and Julia was to have stitches. She was not happy about any of the check-up/ stitches.
She flailed about like a fish out of water. The whole thing was traumatic... I think more for the rest of us than Julia. That kid can put up a fight. She's the most strong willed lady I've ever seen! I was kinda proud of that part. I feel like she'll get far in the world because she'll get shit done!
Anyway, the poor thing had to have 4 stitches. She was so good after the event. She had a lollipop and some chocolates and was fine. The drama was over. I drove up to Easton (late night) and then had a wonderful dental check-up... no cavities! :)

Today, I was a nervous nelly the whole time I was watching her! I took her out to lunch and then to get a tail (like Tigger) from Michael's craft store.






There was not a fit or any drama... we had fun and it was marvelous!
:)

Tricking Kids is Fun

I took this video today at lunch. Julia thought I was taking a picture. I think that it's funny.
Rain + Salisbury +Julia and Alexis = STUCK INSIDE

Things You Should Be Jealous Of...Me.

Undoubtedly Salisbury is the hippest and most happening place on earth during January.
I mean, where else can you sit inside all day because it is raining and bitterly cold? Where can you stay in every night because no one is around to bother with a social life? Where else can you find such a sweet landscape full of browns and browns? You're probably jealous at this point so I'll stop.

My nights in Salisbury have lately been spent staying with Julia, Sarah and Jay for dinner and playdough (of course we only pretend to eat the playdough). I'm not much of a social butterfly, if the occasion draws me, or I feel like it, I can be, but for the most part I like watching movies and reading over clubs or bars. This all makes my sarcasm less potent, but I'll take the risk.
I have gained a lot of characters as well as a lot of memories hanging out in the Case/Carlander home. These nights of being held captive for dinner...which is AWESOME... have been nothing but entertaining (and Sarah would probably be pissed if she knew that I broke my streak of healthy homecooked meals tonight with a heafty helping of Taco Bell: THEY BROUGHT BACK THE CHEESEY GORDITA CRUNCH!).
Last night, I stayed after babysitting to read in the "yellow room." Sarah and Jay have allowed me to stake a claim in the "yellow room" after I finish watching Julia to have some quiet, alone time to read, write, listen to my ipod, chill or whatever. It's nice because although I love my roommates, this space is just for me and I don't feel obligated to anyone.
Generally this time works for me to get tons done, but last night was different because Julia is on West Coast time.
They spent the holiday in Santa Barbara with family, which has, so far, made for an interesting schdeule for all involved. Julia was running around and she realized that "Yeh-eesh" (as I am so lovingly referred) was sitting in the corner of the couch trying to write some potentially GENIUS work in a journal. Well, Julia would have none of that. "Yeh-eesh! Come in playroom and play green playdough!" There is little to stand between young Caesar and what she desires, especially since she is probably the cutest little gal on earth, so of course I budged.
I warned Sarah that I wasn't trying to stay after to have dinner. I didn't want things to come off that way, because I truly just wanted to get some writing done in peace.
Sarah does what Sarah wants. When it was dinnertime, all were summoned to the table and we ate a delectable meal of chicken, potatoes and cauliflower! I was delighted, but also slightly embarrassed. I'm 12 apparently.

After dinner, there was no reading. Julia was in hypermode and was loving having everyone around to pay attention to her. She decided that since I was trying to be in the "yellow room" in peace and quiet, that she would bring the whole family in and that's where we would all play.
The one catch-- her favorite "yellow room" activity is "hide with Julia in a plastic closet." Bonus material-- Sarah and I didn't have to play the game, as we normally would, since Jay was around! Yey!
All 6'5" of Jay Carlander was decidingly pushed into the small plastic closet. Julia told him how to stand and we just sat back and watched.
I took pictures with my cell phone and told Sarah that "this is blog material." I am simply, now, living up to my words.

(Julia putting Jay in the closet while Sarah watches and I take pictures)

(Julia wins.)