Last night I ate five slices of chocolate orange right before taking my antibiotic and got sick to my stomach (although this could have been caused by watching "Felicity," which I was also doing at the same time).

Before moving to NYC I never, ever washed my face. It just never felt dirty, I never had breakouts, so I didn't see any need to. Now, however, my skin constantly feels covered in grime and I am now unfortunately a slave to facial cleansers and mosturizers. The most filth I'd ever been exposed to before moving to NYC was at the Hopkinton State Fair. I don't really know why I'm writing about this, maybe just because it's scary to me that there is such a discernable difference in the amount of pollutants in the air between NH and NYC. I haven't felt like I've had to wash my face once while being here.

Yesterday was Oprah's famous "favorite things" episode. My sister explained to me that every year she does an episode where she has a table full of her "favorite things" and she explains what they are, why she likes them, and then each audience member gets one. After each item is explained she'll say something like "and you're all getting one!" or "Kiehl's has sent a gift box for everyone!" and everyone starts gasping and screaming and jumping up and down and then people dressed as elves hand out the item. These people where going absolutely nuts over microwavable slippers and $50 tins of hot cocoa.

CHRISTMAS CRISIS #257: The bathtub drain is clogged beyond repair of Draio. The plumber has not called back yet and four people taking showers today before going to the neighbors for Christmas Eve cocktails is looking like an impossibility.