My Take on the State of the Union

President Obama made his State of the Union speech tonight, and I have to say, I am quite energized. The man is a gifted public speaker, and I am proud to call him my President (I voted for him too)

The President made some very important announcements during his speech, and highlights that I approve of are as follows:

- stimulating small business is the best and only way to rebuild the economy in America. Tax credits for small business hiring new workers and who raise their salaries will be granted. Money returned to the government from the bank bailouts will be sent back into small businesses in the form of making it easier for these businesses to borrow money.

- NO TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AND BIG BUSINESS. There is absolutely no reason why fat cats on Wall Street and big corporations should receive a tax cut. The President was adamant about this.

- Freezing federal spending starting in 2011. This may seem like a bad idea, but in practice it will help decrease the deficit.

- STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS- Thank you Jesus. The President is proposing that students who graduate from higher education will only be required to fork over 10% of their income to pay back their student loans, with loan forgiveness after 20 years, 10 years for people who go into public service. THAT MEANS TEACHERS, y'all.

- The government will reward businesses and citizens who utilize clean energy through clean energy incentives. The President also reminded us that clean energy creates jobs, and with a 10% unemployment rate, WE NEED JOBS.

- Healthcare reform. Enough said. It's time to put the bipartisan politicking and bickering aside and do what is right for the American people. The President asked that if anyone on either side of the aisle can come up with something different that lowers premiums and does not deny people insurance or destroy Medicare/Medicaid, then show him. He's all for new ideas.

- And lastly, a call to end bipartisan shenanigans. Shooting down a bill simply because you can is not governing, its cowardice. The President is calling for all members of government to hold themselves accountable, and to become more transparent. He wants the American people to start trusting government again, something the American people haven't been able to do in 8 years.


The President also reminds us that the problems that his administration are facing today were inherited, not created by him. The facts stand for themselves, he says. He owns up to his administrations mistakes and pledges to fix these problems and the larger ones like the deficit and the economy.

Overall, I thought it was a great speech, and I am looking forward to seeing the President walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

God bless America.

Politically yours,
Nay

Bicycle!

I hope I remember how to ride a bicycle, because I've entered a bike-a-thon against Multiple Sclerosis. This event is called the Tour de Vine and it is being held in the wine country of central Virginia, in Charlottesville.  That's right, your dear Nay is riding 25 miles a day over hill and dale to raise money to find a cure for MS.

But the best part is, I'm not alone. Me, my sister, and three of our dearest friends, are all doing this together. We are a hodge-podge of all body types and energy levels and we're gonna make it!

Our goal is to raise $250 as a team to help fund the combat against MS. In the next few weeks, I will begin fundraising. Help out if you can, if not, that's cool too, your emotional support will be just as greatly appreciated. And believe me, I'm going to need LOTS of support. Last time I rode a bike, I was about 15.

Here is more information about this great event. Bike Against MS

Gotta go, time to start training. Gag.

Bicycly yours,
Nay

Help.

I'm having trouble coming up with things to blog about. All the ideas I've had I've either already blogged about, or no one would care to read them.

Any suggestions? I'm floundering here. I've got Blogger's Block.

Nay

The Art of Speaking Frenchly

I have discovered recently that I miss French desperately.

I've been reading Julia Child's memoir "My Life in France" and I can't help but feel a little left out when she writes little asides in French or simple vocabulary en Francais. I hate that I can't remember simple verb conjugations and nouns. I was practically fluent! Now look at me.

Well, no more. I am resolved to learn French again, starting from scratch.

I'm well aware that the best way to learn a language is to immerse onself totally into the language by speaking it all day, hearing it all day- basically living in the area where the language is spoken.

That poses un problem. I do not live in France, I have no means to get to France, nor do I have the time to visit France. Hmmm.

I need suggestions for ways to help myself relearn this language that I love. I don't think Rosetta Stone is the answer. I'm looking for conversational French, not basic French. Besides, do you know any elementary school teachers with $400 just lying around for language software? Me neither, but if you meet one let me know.

I know, this probably seems silly to try and relearn something that I'll likely never use. But there is something so simple and poetic about French- it reminds me of clean laundry flapping in the lavendar and wine-scented breeze.

Now to go find and dust off my French/English dictionary.

Linguistically yours,

Nay

The List, Part One

Because I really don't have anything to post about, here is my teacher wish list.

1. Everything Crayola. SOOO useful.

2. Copy paper and LOTS of it.

3. Classroom set of pattern blocks

4. Overhead projector pattern block set

5. Fraction circles

6. Overhead projector fraction circles

7. Cuisenaire rods

8. Clorox wipes
9. Paper towels
10. Tissues
11. Hand sanitizer
12. White out
13. Boxes of pencils, unsharpened
14. Eraser tops
15. Scotch tape
16. Time, Fraction, Multiplication BINGO
17. Large blue pocket chart
18. Dry erase markers, blue, red or black ONLY
19. Marble composition notebooks in Green, Black, Red and Blue
20. Rocking chair

21. Large carpet or rug

22. Poster board in many colors

23. Anything from Lakeshore or Really Good Stuff.

That's all I can think of for now. Send donations to Heather N.... lol

No, that's not my classroom.

When There Is No "Plus One"...

Weddings. God knows we either love them or hate them. There really is no in between.

I happen to be of the party that loves weddings. I love the vows, the dress, the decked-out venues and the food (and booze, of course)

Tonight, one of my very dearest friends reaffirmed her vows to her husband. They married about three years ago in a justice of the peace ceremony, just before he was shipped back out to sea (he's in the Navy), so today was their official ceremony, with the vows, the lovely white dress and the whole shebang. It was lovely, and I had a wonderful time.

But as I was sitting there, nursing my 4th (or was it my 5th) glass of Merlot, I started thinking about weddings, and people, and how they effect people. I watched as the photographer snapped pictures of my mother and father (the whole family is close friends with the bride), and pictures of my sister and her boyfriend/almost fiance... but not me. And then I started thinking- why is it that our society only celebrates couples? What about the rest of us singletons, left out of wedding photos because we don't share the same space with someone else?

Is it wrong to be single? Is it a crime? Or worse, is it (gasp) unnatural?

I would say no, but I seem to be in the minority here, and truthfully, I say no because it's all that I know. I haven't been in a "relationship" since high school. And that was many moons ago. Does that make me an outcast? Well, sometimes it feels like it- in a world catering to two, what do you do without a "plus one"?

Oh sure, there are plenty of articles (thanks Cosmo) that say being single is the bomb dot com and that we single gals should have the time of our lives and not think about Mr. Right or even Mr. Right Now. But how is that possible, when single people are always an afterthought? Are there any tables for one? Why not just address my invites to Heather N instead of Heather N and Guest. There IS no "Guest", so why must you rub that in? (Oh shut up etiquette fiends, I'm well aware of "invitation etiquette")

It's a world gone mad for couples. Sometimes I'm glad I'm not part of an "Us." But it seems as if it would be frightfully easier if I was part of a "plus one". Then I wouldn't get weird looks when I say, "No, just one. It's just me. I'll sit at the bar, then."

Singly yours,
Nay

I'm Not Good At This Whole Dating Thing.

I got stood up tonight for a date.

I've always wondered what that would feel like, and now I know. And it does not feel good.

No, I'm not weepy or upset. I've never met the guy, to be honest. And to be fair, he did send a text message a few hours later saying he wasn't going to be able to make it.

But aren't you supposed to let someone know you aren't going to make it at least a few minutes BEFORE your scheduled time? I guess I'm just not well versed in dating etiquette.

Now don't get me wrong, I like men. But they are not as conscientious as women, by default. And that's ok, to a point. Don't tell someone you'd like to meet them for dinner at 5:30, and then send a text message at 7:05 saying you're not able to get away from work yet.

Oh well. Good thing I brought a book to read. And it's a good thing I had the best company for dinner. Myself.


Jiltedly yours,
Nay

The Art of Speaking Frankly

As I said in a previous post, I'm not a fan of resolutions. I never keep them so why bother, right?

Not this year.

This year is the year of "say what you need to say." There is a Dr. Seuss quote that I particularly like.

"Be who you are, and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."- Dr. Seuss

Sometimes I feel like we censor ourselves too much, even around our closest friends. Now, of course, censoring one's thoughts have a time and a place, but in general, why are we afraid of saying what we need to say? Are we afraid of what our friends are going to think? Are we afraid that they will like us less, or be angry and never get over it?

Get over yourself. Most people are dying for the truth, and the only thing that makes them mad is that they KNOW the truth was withheld from them! So instead of bottling everything up, just let it out as it comes. Be kind about it, but say what you have to say. A momentary flash of anger is a lot easier to deal with than a lifetime of regret or worse, a grudge.

Keep in mind, there is a difference between tactful and brutal honesty. It's up to you which one you'll practice.

Honestly yours,
Nay

New Years Resolutions Resolution

The time of resolutions is upon us. I, like everyone else in the world, hate making New Years resolutions. They are a yearly reminder of how inconsistent I can be, a punishment for crimes that, when committed, didn't feel like crimes, but like life.
However, I stumbled across this blog from Cranky Fitness, one of the blogs I follow, and by golly if I could get my brain to think this way, all of my resolutions would be do-able.
So do yourself a favor and read this one.

Resolutions are really gifts


Resolutely yours,
Nay

The After-Christmas Blues

So today was The Day. Christmas Day of course. My parents woke me up (I've been on the couch since my grandparents arrived) to the sounds (and smell) of coffee brewing, the fire going, lighting the tree and turning on all the Christmas lights. I love Christmas morning. I hate the rest of the day.
NO, it's not because I want more presents.
I always feel let down after Christmas morning. The rest of the day is an anticlimax to the festivities of the morning. I've always felt this way and I have NO idea why. I suppose it's because after the gifts are unwrapped and breakfast is served, my most favorite Season of the year is, well, over and done. Sure, we leave the tree up for a few more days, usually until New Years Day, but essentially, the magic and the spirit of the Season is gone. Now, lighting the tree is simply another chore, going through the motions. It doesn't mean what it did 12 hours ago. I just hate it.
Sometimes I want to cry, but I don't. But it doesn't appease me that come November next year I'll be all excited again. I think about how Christmas was years ago, when my sister and I were blown away every year by how much stuff was under the tree! I think about how we would play for hours with our new toys and try on our new clothes, and then bundle up and go to our relatives houses for dinner. It's just not the same and I know that it never will be, but sometimes I just wish I could find that Christmas magic, just one more time...

What's the matter with me? I always get the post-Christmas blues. Am I alone here or do you guys feel something like this too?

Moodily yours, but ultimately, Merry Christmas,
Nay

A Treatise on A Love Affair

I have a confession to make.

I've been in a relationship for years and never told anyone.

A relationship with... shhh... books.

Oh books. I have so many, and so many more to buy!!
Books are such wonderful things. I love the smell, I love the feel of a fresh, new book in my hand, the anticipation of cracking it open to see what sort of jewels it holds inside. I love old books too- the history, the thought of "how many hands have turned these pages?" If books could talk, what sort of stories would they tell- no pun intended! Every time I buy a book, I fall in love all over again. You can easily see why Barnes and Noble is my favorite and most prefered bookseller. They have EVERYTHING, and if they don't, they will get it for you.
There is something to be said for the little booksellers too. The faint feeling of walking into history, of being in good literary company, surrounded by the masters. Ah books.

Me, I consume the written word, any kind. I'm a big fan of non-fiction, mindless fun fiction and the occassional classic. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is my favorite classic, La Cucina by Lily Prior is my favorite fiction, and History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage was such a fascinating non-fiction read, that I can't wait to read it again.

I'm reading a very interesting book right now called "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much" by Allison Hoover Bartlett. It is a true story about a man who is a book thief. Now before you go thinking "well that's a dumb thing to steal" or "man I can think of a million other things to steal", this man steals rare books from antiquarian book sellers and book dealers. These books are sometimes worth thousands of dollars, and according to Bartlett, book theft is far more prevalent than fine art theft.

In this book, Bartlett explores the idea of the many types of "book people". I am a bibliophile, meaning I love books but not so much so that I feel I can't live without owning them all. The other term Bartlett uses is "blibliomaniac", people who feel a compulsive need to possess, by any means necessary, books, both old and new.

Now, I know none of you are out there stealing books (or at least I hope not), so I am curious to hear your thoughts on this idea of "book lover".

Are you a book lover? What kinds of books?

Lovers come and go, beauty fades, love sometimes too, but a good book will always be steadfast and true.

So, fellow bibliophiles, what are your favorites? Don't be shy.

Bookishly yours,
Nay

To Jeep or Not To Jeep

I am the proud owner of a Jeep Liberty. I love my truck. I love how tall she is, how rugged and peppy she is. And though I don't take her off-road or camping or any of that "Jeep people" stuff, she is still a great truck.

However. She could not make it up the hill to my house in the snow on Friday. And that concerns me. Now I realize that this weather is pretty uncommon here in Richmond. But what if it happens again this winter? What if the next few winters are just as bad, or worse? What then?

My point is, I'm considering trading my beloved Jeepy in, and getting a Jeep with 4WD. I have found exactly what I want at carmax.com, who I bought my Jeep from in August of 2008. It is a 2008 Jeep Patriot Sport, showing here, and I really like it a lot. My problem is, I've only had my Jeep for a little over a year. How does that look, to trade in one car for a new one so quickly? My folks think its a good idea. My payments will be the same as they are now, which is nice- newer car, same price

Am I overthinking this?

Bottom line, I need a vehicle that I can rely on, and up until now, my Liberty fit that bill. But now I'm not so sure.


Guidance would be much appreciated.
Nay

Haste, Post, Haste!

I'm reading a new book called Yours Ever: People and their Letters, which is about, duh, people, and their use of letters for correspondence. Which got me thinking. Why don't people write letters anymore?

Sure, people still send cards with little messages of love or "thinking of you's", but no one really sits down and writes an honest to goodness letter. I think the last time I received a letter was when I was a freshman in college, from my mother, and she only wrote a letter because Hurricane Isabel had knocked out their power and she couldn't email.

Which brings me to my next question. Is email considered a letter? Or is it just a relative of the telephone call? (which most people don't do anymore either) Maybe email is the parent of the text message. This idea reminds me of the parts in the Bible where it says "So and So begat so and so, who begat..."- Letter begat telegram, who begat telephone, who begat email, who begat text message.

My point, (and I do have one) is people just "check in" with each other now, they don't really want to hear all about the goings on. The author of Yours Ever, Thomas Mallon writes that the speed and expediency of email is what we've become accustomed to. "Its addictive instant gratifications have replaced the old, slow anticipation of the daily visit from the mailman, who now brings mostly junk."

As much as I say I would like to reincarnate letter writing, I do not possess the skill or the time. I say skill because it takes a lot of practice to sit down and write a readable and enjoyable letter. And time, well, who has enough of that? (as I sit here, lazily, and blog)

Maybe that's the answer. Maybe the letter has morphed into the blog. Really, back in the old days a letter was a "Here's what's going on in my life" tome. Blogs are the same way. We write about things that interest us, enrage us, bore us and sadden us. Letters did the same thing. So maybe instead of saying that letter writing has died, we can say that it's just evolved into blogging, with a bit of email thrown in for a quick "how are you?"

And to be fair to my generation, we are more connected than ever, even being thousands of miles apart because of the speed and efficiency of email, text and the electronic age. So instead of losing touch with someone because they move away (Mr and Mrs. M) you can still keep tabs on them because they are only a text or email away.

Oh yeah, and a phone call too.

Correspondingly yours,
Nay

Let it snow!

It's finally happened! After months of waiting, anticipating, watching the weather, the First Snow of the Season is here. I put that in capitals because snow is a big deal here in Richmond mainly because we don't usually get any! Everywhere else in the country will get snow, but central Virginia will not. Heck, it will snow in Roanoke, Staunton and Charlottesville all on the same day but NEVER in Richmond. So today is a real treat!

So far we've gotten about 5 inches in about 4 hours, which to us Richmonders is akin to a blizzard. Add in some sleet (what we're used to) and you've got a winter whopper! Not to mention the fact that it is one week until Christmas, and many people (myself included, duh) are hoping it sticks around long enough to be pretty on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I love the snow! I love how silent it is, how soft and blanketing it is. I do not like what it does to the roads, and how my supposedly rugged Jeep cannot make it up the hill to get home. I was driving home from dinner tonight, my parents behind me in their Ford Escape, and I turn into the neighborhood.... and that's about as far as I could go. I couldn't make it up the hill, and my Jeep does not have 4 wheel drive. What kind of Jeep doesn't have 4 wheel drive? I've seen station wagons with 4 wheel drive! Anyway, I wasn't going anywhere without chains, so Dad drove it to the high school and parked it there, where it will be safe from snow plows and people plowing into it. What an odyssey :)

So all you Richmonders, get out there and enjoy the First Snow! Pray for many more (please. I'm a teacher. We need the days.)

Snowily yours,
Nay

Isn't she lovely?

I am a HUGE fan of Michelle Obama. Wait, are you a fan of the First Lady or an admirer? Can you be a fan of someone who isn't so much a celebrity as an icon? Anyway, semantics, semantics.

I've been searching high and low for anything on the First Lady I can find, and I found this at Barnes and Noble this evening... as if I don't buy enough from them. I love photo essays and this one is a real treasure.

Michelle Obama: The First Lady in Photographs

Also, Barnes and Noble has a lot of great books about the First Lady. As a teacher, I plan to incorporate more on the First Ladies in my social studies curricula. I feel like motivating and powerful women are not studied enough in schools. Even if we just learn a bit of biography about the First Ladies, it will be something interesting for the kids.

So, there's a gift idea for you. You can never go wrong with photo essays. Here are a few more of my faves:

Read My Pins: Stories From a Diplomat's Jewel Box by Madeline Albright

InStyle: The New Secrets of Style

Hmm, a stylish First Lady, a book about pins and jewels, the new secrets of great style... I sense a theme here...

Stylishly yours,

Nay

in memoriam.

Today, a very close friend of my family's passed away suddenly. I am still in shock, with the birds of sadness nesting in my hair.

I think of his wife, his children and grandchildren. How do people keep on keeping on when something like this happens?

Grief is such a heavy thing. And as much as people want to help, it's a burden only you can carry.

"Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22

I'm dedicating this post to the DeNoon family. I have no words to tell you how sorry I am. My heart aches for all of you.


nay.

The Reason for the Season

Christmastime is finally upon us!! I look forward to Christmas all year long! I love everything about Christmas- the decorating, the music, the food, and the Story. The Christmas Story is one of my favorites and I love how this holiday is centered around a story about a tiny baby :)

When I was younger we used to go to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church. We would hear the Christmas story, sing carols and hymns and sit in awe of how beautiful our church was lit by candlelight, the golden glow touching the holly and the greens hung on the windows and the altar. Afterward, we'd rush home in the cold and take baths, then we'd snuggle up and watch A Christmas Carol, the one with George C. Scott as Mr. Scrooge. My grandfather LOVES that movie, and I admit I do too :) It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without it. Even though we don't attend that church anymore, the memories of the candlelight service stay with me.

It is SO important to be with family at Christmastime. When I was living in DC, my house was empty most of the time because my roommates were hardly ever home. I decorated our little house with puny decorations, put up a Charlie Brown tree and hung our stockings, all by myself. And it was miserable. There was no music, no family, no logs burning the fireplace, the tree lit up with lights and ornaments. I was so upset all that season. I moved back home to Richmond shortly thereafter because you can only live without family for so long.

The main thing to remember at Christmastime is that we are all family and we need to take care of one another. In my community we have the Christmas Mother program, which supplies struggling and needy families in my community with food, clothes and toys for Christmas. If you can, check and see if there are any programs like that in your area and help out if you can. Every little bit helps make someone's Christmas a merry one.

The Gift is what's in your heart, friends, not what's in your hands. I hope I don't sound preachy. It's just that Christmas is a great time to get to know God again, and maybe make some room in your heart, the way the innkeeper made room in the inn.


Merrily yours,
Nay

Do you know your Turkey day facts?

Today is Thanksgiving Day! Yippee!!

This past week at my elementary school, many of our teachers have been doing Thanksgiving lessons. I started thinking about how different Thanksgiving is taught today than when I was in elementary school.

For example, when I was in school, we were taught that the Pilgrims came over on the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth Rock, a part of America that they discovered.

We were not taught that the Pilgrims were religious zealot refugees kicked out of Holland first, then England in 1620, and that many of them died on the way over here due to sickness. We were not taught that there were TWO ships in fact, but the Godspeed had to turn back because it was leaking.

We were not taught that the Native American tribe that welcomed them to Massachusetts was the Wampanoag tribe, that Squanto was NOT the chief of this tribe (Massoit had this honor), he was just a member of the tribe who knew English. We were also not taught that Squanto had learned his English from a group of fisherman who had sailed into the Cape Cod bay and used Squanto as a guide, in turn, teaching him English, many years before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth.
We were not taught that the Wampanoag outnumbered the Pilgrims at the feast (91 Wampanoag to 53 Pilgrims)

We were not taught that the Pilgrims would have all died if the Wampanoag hadn't shown them techniques for farming and which animals to hunt for food. We also weren't taught that a few years after the feast, the Pilgrims began brutally attacking the Wampanoag if they did not allow themselves to be converted to Christianity. A few years later, the Pilgrims destroyed the Wampanoag tribe for good, through both violence and sicknesses that the Pilgrims brought over from England, sicknessess that the Wampanoag had no resistence to.
Happy thanksgiving right?

In fact, Thanksgiving as we know it as a holiday wasn't regularly celebrated by Americans until it was signed into law on October 6, 1941 by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This is all information that is being taught in my school now, and I couldn't be happier. I can't think of a better way to teach than to teach the truth about a major holiday.
Of course, as a history major, I am obliged to add in facts about things. The last paragraph is not taught in schools, but it is information that I learned in a class on Early America.

So when you sit down to enjoy your turkey day dinner, you can impress your family with this (useless?) trivia! And be thankful that the children of America today are not being served lily white tales of hogwash about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, which by the way, they didn't even call it "thanksgiving", simply, "the feast"


Thankfully yours,
Nay

These are my people.

This is my life- this is where I come from.

Lovingly Yours,

Nay

On glorifying Chai, and the corporate giant behind it

I'm a huge Starbucks fan. Really, I get a soy chai latte nearly everyday (soy because I'm lactose intolerant) And try as I might to find a more wallet friendly beverage company, I can't. The taste is not the same.
I've tried Sheetz Chai. For $1.99 it is the cheapest. It also has a funny chemically aftertaste that I just can't get past.
I've tried this little place near my sister's apartment, the Black Hand. $2.00 plus or minus a few pennies. But it too has a bit too much of something, I just can't put my finger on it.
I've even bought chai tea myself and made my own version of chai. Now, usually, when you make your own version of something it's usually better because it's homemade. Not so in this case. Mine is too watery, not creamy enough.
But Starbucks. Oh Starbucks with the perfect blend of spices and vanilla and frothy soy milk. I would gladly spend $4.00 for a grande any day of the week.

Now before you get your panties in a twist over me frequenting this corporate titan, I just want to remind you of a few things:
        1. Starbucks is an environmentally friendly corporation. They practice ethical sourcing. Starbucks is committed to buying and serving the highest-quality, responsibly grown, ethically traded coffee to help create a better future for farmers and a more stable climate.
        2. Starbucks is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint. For example, in the latest franchise built here in Midlothian, the store features beautiful furniture made out of recycled plastic and paper. There are more recepticles for recycling than trash, forcing people to think about what they are throwing away, and of course, the nifty sleeves around the cup to keep your hands from burning is recycled paper products.
        3. Starbucks champions community service through the Starbucks Volunteer 2 Volunteer program. Starbucks is striving to contribute more than 1 million hours of community service by 2015.

I'm sure you're skeptical. It's only natural to think that a corporate giant like Starbucks is only thinking of their product and who they market to and how to make more money. But I genuinely believe that Starbucks is trying to make a difference. This may seem naive, and you're welcome to disagree with me, but Starbucks is a major part of millions of American's day, and because of this overwhelming popularity, it seems logical for Starbucks to tap into the next big thing in this world- sustainability and environmentalism.

I recommend visiting the Starbucks Shared Planet website. You'll find a lot of interesting information there about how Starbucks is working globally to fix the planet, one coffee bean at a time.

And that is one damn fine tasting coffee bean :)

Chai tea-liciously yours,
Nay