When I was in New York, I walked. A lot.

And I absolutely slaughtered the battery on my iPhone, whom you know goes by the name Anita. [She's cute. I like her a lot.]

I really enjoyed the soundtrack idea. Like, as I walked, the songs that played felt like my daily soundtrack. [I always wanted my life to be a television show. Sue me.] And because I’m a few shades of crazy, I have weird personal rules about how much music I keep on my phone [not a lot] and a few albums dominated my trip.

Like:

• Ingrid Michaelson- Everybody
• Mat Kearney-  City of Black & White
• Needtobreathe- The Outsiders
• Dave Barnes- What We Want, What We Get
• Ben Rector- Into The Morning

And Ben Rector was on high high rotation.

I remember standing in Grand Central Station on Friday morning. I was sad the NanoMBA was over, scared of what was next, sorry to end my time as a public transportation commuter. People buzzed around me and I just stopped. I wanted to breathe the moment- take a snapshot in my mind. And Ben sang in my ears,

“This isn’t easy.

This isn’t clear.

And you don’t need Jesus til you’re here.“

And I’ve thought about those lines a lot in the last few weeks. As I’ve come back from New York and embarked on some new things at Mocha Club, had some good days and some worst ever days, I’ve worried and I’ve celebrated. It’s been a wonderful and horrible month.

You’re welcome.

I walked around my neighborhood and through Hillsboro Village last week, mainly just to get in touch with Commuter Annie. I like her a lot and I wanted to know that she still lived in me- the girl who walks around, music playing, with purpose but not with worry. She was focused in New York, I feel scattered in Nashville. She was quietly confident in New York, I feel tired in Nashville. She was someone I want to be and I feel like someone I don’t like.

Ben came into my ears and I was grateful for the reminder. For that moment, on the corner of Hillsboro and Fairfax, to remember that moment at Track 36 when it didn’t feel easy or clear.

Because here, in Nashville, it still isn’t easy and it still isn’t clear.

I thought I really needed Jesus there in Grand Central.

But the truth is I need Him more today.

It’s every-tour-bus-come-to-town week! Also known as CMAFest, also known as FanFare. Also known as Fanny-Packs-of-Country-Music-Unite!

And Nashville is crazy busy.

So, alas, I am crazy busy.

Fan club parties. CMT Awards watching and discussing of outfits. A trip to the Bluebird Cafe. Everyone is home and everyone is busy and it is super fun.

But I had to hop on here because I’d hate for you to miss this- Dave Barnes has a cameo on All My Children- yesterday and today. So either watch it, watch it tonight on SOAP Network, or watch online.

Or you can just enjoy my friend Jami’s twitvideo from today. [Yesterday's clip is awesome too, like a music video. Rad. But you'll have to find it online.]

Back to work. And play.

Amen.

I just have to make a list.

You know how I feel about lists.

– I just finished reading the third book in Mary DeMuth’s Defiance Texas Triology. It’s called Life in Defiance and I am telling y’all, this has been one of the most enjoyable series I have read in a while. I highly HIGHLY recommend it.

– I’m rather fiction spoiled right now. I also just read Hurricanes in Paradise by my friend Denise Hildreth. I’ve always loved her stuff, and this new book did not disappoint. I laughed, I teared up, I wanted to go to the beach. Amen.

– I’m writing today over at (in)courage about this picture. Check it out, yo.

And yes, I did take this picture at Frothy Monkey. Of course. Because I love Frothy. In fact, I’m headed there in approximately 9 minutes. Then I’m going to the YMCA. Even though I walked out of a sculpt class yesterday- the teacher was mean, so I peaced out.

Tangent complete.

– Donald Miller directed me to this blog a few months and now I’m addicted. Kelle Hampton takes beautiful pictures; her art is her photos and her words. You need to read the post about her daughter Nella Cordelia. That will be enough to make you want more.

– The other blog I’m a newish fan of is Natalie Lloyd. I’ve known Natalie for a long time via Susie Magazine, but I just recently began reading her blog and there is a real chance that we share some parts of our brains. I don’t know the science behind it, I just know that sometime we think the same things. So if you like me a little bit, I bet you’ll like her more.

And for today, I think that is enough.

Happy Friday.

Booyah.

A few years ago, Molly and I met up with Haley at a Moe’s Restaurant.

It was Haley’s birthday and she was pregnant with her first kid. [Jarrett, who has, in his 3 years of life, single-handedly won my heart like no other male has done [to date].]

We decided to give Haley magazine subscriptions for her birthday. I think it was a Saturday. Haley’s birthday is in October, and I remember she had on her red hat and Molly had on shorts and a long sleeve shirt.

We laid out in front of her about 10 different magazines- mom magazines, marriage magazines, decorating magazines, and our staple- Real Simple. She got to keep all those issues and then we said, “pick the two that you want to have subscriptions for and we’ll get ‘em!”

I was so excited about the gift that we didn’t even order our food first. We went straight to the table. Haley was on time- Molly and I were late. So she was already sitting in a booth. She laughed at the basket of magazines, flipped through a few, and said thanks. Then we went and ordered quesadillas.

I don’t know why this memory keeps replaying in my head. The three of us have files and files of hilarious memories, exciting memories, and tearful memories. But for some reason, the simplicity of Haley’s birthday in 2006 has been rubbing my heart raw.

As much as I love Nashville [and I. Love. Nashville.], I don’t think I will ever quit missing my life in Marietta.

I miss Moe’s.

I miss Haley and Molly.

I miss birthdays together.

I miss those simple Saturdays.

I miss magazine subscriptions to addresses that we thought would never change.

Because I bet I would have written about sitting on the 18th row at the NSYNC concert in Atlanta. And I would have thought for certain that I was cool.

It may be true or false [true] that I just spent approximately 15 minutes watching old clips of the glory days of NSYNC.

And glory days they were.

This is also true: I loved New Kids on the Block when I was in the 4th grade. Because that is an appropriate age to have severe crushes on boy bands.

I loved NSYNC when I was TWENTY.

Oh the shame.

But can you blame me? This is entertainment.

Now I feel good because I know I have filled your Thursday with joy.

Carry on.

I am sorry that you didn’t see the movie Spring Breakdown on Lifetime Network.

I know. Lifetime movies are known for the high drama and low quality [truth hurts, LN], but let me tell you.

Will Arnett. Amy Poehler. Parker Posey. Seth Meyers. And laughs. Lots of laughs.

I laughed out loud four times in the first 9 minutes. [As the movie has continued, I will say that there are some parts that are a tad inappropriate. Just so you know.]

I mean, as long as I’m making Lifetime confessions, let’s go ahead and talk about my extreme excitement regarding Drop Dead Diva returning in a week and a half, give or take. I have long looked for a replacement show for Ally McBeal and being that it went off the air in 2002, it has been a lengthy search.

I’m not sure Drop Dead Diva is quite there, but it is close, my people. Close.

I have a short list of other shows that I love all the time and according to what my fingers are typing, I want to tell you about them now.

• Parenthood. It’s not totes family friendly. But I really like the storylines. I applaud the writers.
• Modern Family. Laughter aboundeth.
• Real Housewives. I don’t care where they live, I’m gonna watch it. Particularly enjoying the PILES-O-CRAZY in New York right now and I am afraid of those New Jersey women. Like seriously.
• Top Chef Masters. I am in awe of their skillz.
• Glee. Me and all the other teensters.
• Deadliest Catch. I know Capt. Phil dies at the end of this season and the editors have done a good job of making me tear up every week.

Last but not least. Grey’s Anatomy. That finale?!? I just watched it and Y’ALL. Has anyone else seen it?!? I was losing my mind. Tense as a stretched rubberband. Crying. All of it.

So obviously, I have used my time wisely since returning from New York.

Ahem.

[Make me feel better here. Tell me your favorite shows. Or. Tell me your thoughts on Grey's. Tell me I'm not the only one who has drained her DVR lately.]

You will love this: on our last day in New York, my friend Jeff from the NanoMBA hugged me and said, “AnnieBlogs, I like Reba too.”

If there is ever a sentence that one could say to gain my undying loyalty, that. was. it.

I mean. Seriously. Right to my heart, brother. Right to my heart.

And I realized, in that moment, that these NanoMBA friends are stuck with me forever. [Whether they like it or not.]

This blog post has to dance a fine skinny line of telling you about my experience in New York while honoring the fact that our NanoMBA group didn’t exactly sign up to be blog fodder.

So I’m going to do what any self-respecting blogista would do. I’m gonna make a list.

1. Seth Godin is an awesome teacher.

2. I spent the entire week with 11 of the smartest, most talented, and kindest friends I could ever have the pleasure of knowing. With their permission, I hope to introduce you to each of them at some point in the future. Because gracious. They are wonderful.

3. I have some deep love for public transportation. And I have to confess that I sorta liked having my headphones in and keeping a stern face. I felt like a total New Yorker. [Until, of course, I would lose track of where I was and have to say to my neighbor, "Uh, which stay-shun is thee-us?" and my Southern-ness would be loud and clear.]

4. I genuinely hope I never forget my mornings in Grand Central Station. An iced chai tea latte, an egg and spinach english muffin sandwich, my Bible, my journal, and a Hillsong Pandora station on my iPhone. Someday I’ll tell you how this time on Wednesday morning may have literally changed my life.

5. I loved my time in New York City so much that I began to fear that I may decide to move there next. Don’t tell Nashville. I’ve always considered myself a one-city kind of girl, so it freaked my freak a little bit.

Last but not least [for sure], I want to introduce you to DonorsChoose.org. It is an amazing non-profit that helps teachers in low income areas provide all that they need for their classrooms.

I hope you are signed up for Groupon in your city. Because today, you can buy a $20 donation for only $10. Once you buy it on Groupon, you can go over to DonorsChoose.org and spend it.

I will be donating to this classroom in Nashville. I would LOVE it if AnnieBlogs readers could purchase a bookshelf for this teacher. Would you consider donating your Groupon (or making a donation) to this classroom? If we each gave $10, we could TOTALLY take care of this for her and those cute kiddies.

That would be rad.

Happy Monday, y’all.

Seriously.

The only way I can think to even attempt to blog this week while I’m in NYC is either in picture or in list.

But listen. Be thou full of patience. Please. Because my number one goal here is to gain buckets full of knowledge and skill. Not to tell you hilarious stories. [Though you know I want to. Come on. You know me.]

[And I owe you a story about SELF DEFENSE CLASS. Yep. I took it. Saturday. Great stories. Great great stories. Don't let me forget... next week.]

By the way, HERE’S A QUICK REMINDER of why I’m in New York.

Yeah. Totally cool. I know. I’m so so so excited. Like WHOA excited.

So on Sunday—-

- I practiced being a lone sojourner on the NYC Subway system (wimpy rider, party of 1.)

- I was stern with a cabbie and he kicked me out (sorta).

- I saw my friend Ernie Halter which was awesome.

- My Clean&Clear Facewash exploded in my suitcase. [C&C, why I oughta.... grrrr....]

- My iPhone battery is not the champ that one would hope. So listening to music on the Subway + checking my email + twitter + facebook + texting + calling my mama = too much for Anita the iPhone to handle. Lesson? Carry my charge cord with me EVERYWHERE.

- I ventured to Times Square SOLO. Cause I’m brave like that, yo.

[This is taken with an app called QuadCam. You want it. Trust me. It's so stinkin' cool.]

I woke up crazy early this morning, already laid out my clothes and had my bag all packed. So pretty much, it’s my first day of marketing school.

Someone should have sent me a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils.

[1 point for New York reference, 1 point for You've Got Mail reference, 1 point for school reference - ZING!]

To NYC.

I can’t believe it.

I’ll blog more later.

Happy Sunday.

I’m not in Nashville right now, but just reading, watching, and hearing the stories of my friends surviving the floods is unbelievable.

It happened like this in Atlanta in September. The water came so quickly. No one could prepare- and even if you could, how do you prepare for five feet of water in your basement? Creeks become rushing rivers and yards become ponds.

The power of water. Sheesh.

I wanted to blog today about my trip to NYC. And I will soon. But something just feels wrong about making jokes and being silly and working hard to combine words correctly in such a way that will make you laugh at my hijinks. [And laugh you will because, hello, my life is ridiculous.]

I don’t feel like laughing when so many that I care about are suffering.

I wish I was there. My house is fine, my electricity is still on. In fact, I think some friends are sleeping in my bed. And I wish I was there to be with my people as they deal with this stuff. I’m sure I’d be sick of emptying buckets about 14 minutes in, but I still wish I was there.

There’s this thing about Nashville. And maybe this is true in any emergency situation in any place- the people rise up, higher than the water. The community loves. And even on a normal day, I see people care more for a neighbor than for themselves. So when something like this happens and as I hear stories of my friends loving my friends and caring for each other, I ache to be there to be a part of our community.

A lot of pictures and links and clicks can be found through Nashvillest - possibly the coolest and most reliable source in the city. Those girls work hard making sure they know the scoop in Nash.

Also, you can see what others said on twitter using the search term #othersituation2010. [The first situation was the blizzard in February- yep, I missed that one too. What's up with me leaving Nash and the weather going nutso?]

For years, we will tell stories of this rain. It’s historic. It’s unbelievable.

If you want to help, either in Nashville or in another city, click here to read how you can.

If nothing else, pray. Pray for my friends and pray for my city.