Little Coincidences

Today was very relaxed, thank God.  I didn't venture farther than about ten blocks to and from the little supermarket today.  Mostly because I was entirely too exhausted and in actual physical pain from all the exercise.  Plus I want to save energy for tomorrow when I go to the gym with Ann Marie again (she's spinning, I'm not.)

Moving on... For those of you that were unaware, Summer and I like to play a little game with my life.  It's like a real life version of "Six Degrees of Separation," and basically in my world things are ALWAYS connected.  Now at first it was because I am from a small town, then it was because I had been in Columbia for so long that it made sense my groups would intermingle eventually, but today was just proof that this shit always finds me.  Summer can pick up her life, move somewhere new, and not have a connection with anyone around her.  Me?? I'll give you an example...

So today, after I got my iced coffee and egg and cheese wrap, I wandered in the direction (I was told by the lovely couple at the DunkinDonuts) of a grocery store.  On the way, a gentleman started walking beside me and kind of struck up a conversation more or less like this:

Him: Why are you walking so fast, honey?
Me: Oh, just habit, I suppose.
Him: I hear ya. In a hurry to get home?
Me: Actually I'm on the way to the grocery store.
(insert mindless chatter about how hot the weather is)
Me: Yeah, it's pretty warm but at least it's not as humid as home.
Him: Oh yeah? Where are you from?
Me: South Carolina
Him: Oh, I have family there.... in Marion. Near Florence, are you familiar??

Of course you do, sir. Of course.

And also, last night my now boss, Brandi, brought fireworks to the rooftop (a rocket to be exact) and was asked where she got it? Did she hope over to Jersey to buy it? "I got it from South of the Border in South Carolina." she replied. OMG!Really?! "Yeah," she said "Me and Pedro go way back."

Big Bang, Pretty Lights

I finally met the manager in charge of the elixir bar today and we got a little busy from brunch so it was nice to have a lot of stuff to do.  My entire body, however, was not a fan. Everything hurts SO BAD. I'm already getting far more exercise than I'm accustomed to so adding a spinning class was the worst decision. Ever. I'm pretty sure the muscles are so tight they are going to absolutely snap soon. But I'm trying not to let that little physical hiccup keep me inside.

When I finally got off work, had a little dinner I picked up from the Whole Foods in Union Square (that place still fascinates me... the lines alone are something to marvel on, but I digress,) I hopped on a train to meet Ann Marie and some co-workers over in Williamsburg to grill out on a rooftop with some icy cold beer and watch the fireworks.

The zoom is a little retarded. "Caution: Objects May Be Closer Than They Appear."

Although I new building went up within the last year that blocked a lot of the fireworks from this particular roof. Nuts.  But what we could see was pretty impressive, all 66% of it.

But now I have a phone date with the lovely Erin Ellis....Goodnight.

A Place to Call My Own

"Mi Casa"

My humble little room. From the window you can see the garden in the backyard that belongs to the other tenants who Breck apparently cooks with frequently.

The wall of books left behind (predominately art books.) 

The living space, dining area, and kitchen (with a gas stove!!!!!)

It took two trains, five ascending staircases (several headed down as well,) about four blocks or so on foot and half an hour later I finally arrived from Ann Marie's to my new place.  I only brought essentials; my one carryon suitcase and my computer.  As far as I'm concerned, she can keep the rest of that crap (I'm too tired to fetch it)

Also, the roommate has been so nice.  He invited me to hang out with his friends tonight to watch fireworks on a rooftop, I believe.  But by the time he got home every muscle in my body was pretty much tight as a knot from the spinning, walking and non-stop standing.  So instead he told me there were veggies, beans and tortillas in the fridge if I was too tired to cook!! I think he may be giving Ann Marie a run for her money in the "Best Roommate EVER Competition."  But alas, I shall retire for the evening because work comes early, lasts long, requires a 30 min. train ride and copious amounts of coffee.  Plus I'd like to save some energy for July 4th festivities!!!! 

A Zillion Things.

It has all started running together and it's only day 2.5, so here's a summary of the last two days:

I got up early on official day one, had some honey nut cheerios with Almond milk (super delicious, btw) went to interview with Brandy at ABC Kitchen (the new Jean-Georges restaurant on Broadway just down from Union Square, it's quite the talk of the town apparently.  It's been mentioned in the NY Times at least twice that I've seen, as well as a popular Manhattan Magazine.)  Brandy, however, wasn't available so I saw the GM instead, Ryan.  He's super adorable and surprisingly young.  While we were chatting about my background and why I wanted to work at the Elixir Bar, Jean-Georges came over to ask something and I was able to meet him!!! And he was delightful!!! And he said he hoped I joined their team!!! OPEN MOUTH, AWE-STRUCK, OMG.YESPLEASE!  After filling out copious amounts of paperwork, we decided that I should start IMMEDIATELY, so I was scheduled for the following day!  Afterwards I basically just wandered around Union Square, watched the moms with their kids at the weekly park event, went to the Sbux to recharge, Barnes and Nobles with it's four freaking floors!!!  Was treated to a lovely sushi birthday lunch (because did I mention I turned a quarter of a century?!) with Ann Marie and her friend/co-worker April (now my new co-worker!)

Things to note of the day:  People sleep on the subway. They sleep sitting down, leaning against the wall, holding onto a pole swaying with the train.  Also, an absurd amount of Sbux goers order tall beverages.  Now, for those of you not in the know... that's a small. It's very, very tiny and I just don't get it.  Maybe they should start ordering a large and then maybe they wouldn't snooze through their stop... Just saying.

But moving on to day three...  Ann Marie and I scoured the interwebs (Craigslist) and called a guy about an sublet, made an appointment for mid-afternoon, then headed off to spin class. That's right folks, I spun. Sorta.  Basically I kept up for about ten minutes, felt like my legs would give out completely, my chest tightened and I'm pretty sure I started to have an actual heart attack, sat down in the saddle praying for it to just all end, then Ann Marie looks over and says, "Only twenty more minutes!!!"  ONLY!?!?!? Um, kill me now. Thanks.

After the treacherous trip down the stairs of the YMCA (seriously, my legs felt like jelly,) I went to meet a potential roommate and, AND I didn't get lost on the train!!! Huzzah!!! I now am the proud renter of a delightful room over in Bed Stuy (sp?) with a lovely guy named Breck (he's an artist) and has a most adorable girlfriend.  He seems super cool.  Does work periodically with a catering company that was recently featured on Martha Steward and he said he might could hook me up with that. WHICHWOULDBEFREAKINGAWESOME!  He also really likes to cook, and occasionally does so with the people in the building who have a little garden out back!!! And I'm welcome to cook and join, and OMG he's awesome so far!

Onward to my first day of work which was.... Amazing!  They people are awesome and interesting and I love them already.  And the product is uber labor intensive but completely worth it!  More on work later, promise!!! But for now I just crash, I'm exhausted! My New Job.

Oh wait, Ann Marie and I had dinner when I got home over in Park Slope (which will hopefully be where we live soon, it's also where the YMCA is located.) I had the most delicious Fish Tacos at a place called "Rachel's"  Mmmk, goodnight! 

ps. sorry for the typos, too tired to proofread. bye!

The view from my train.

Write It All Down.

Today was... overwhelming, to say the least. So much has happened in less than 24 hours, so many emotions have been experienced and quite frankly, I'm exhausted!

I guess the best place to start is the beginning, which started at the dark and dreary hour of four a.m.  The car was loaded quickly, the hair was washed, and we were off!!! Headed directly to the nearest caffeine fix, of course!  And I must say, it was a particularly horrid experience, and hands down, the worst cup of coffee I've ever been forced to drink.  Oh who am I kidding? I did drink that crap, I even stopped at a later gas station to try and doctor it up, save the innocent victim, but it was no use.  Mom, B and myself arrived at the airport at the exact time we were aiming for, how that happened with the additional three unplanned pit stops along with the awful drivers on the road is beyond me.  But everything started out wonderfully.  I checked my luggage, the nice man at the counter let my stuff pass even though it was overweight by about four pounds, and then we said goodbye.

As things always go with me in every airport security interaction I've ever had, I had to be double checked, all my stuff had to be sent through the x-ray again... apparently something about me screams, "Possible threat!"  Then I promptly planted myself outside my gate and waited patiently, and by patiently I mean this is about when the panic started. What am I thinking?! I hardly know anyone in New York, I don't like strangers, I hate being lost, do I really need to go?? But of course, my pride pushed me through the doors and onto the plane (although I'd be lying if I didn't admit I kind of wanted to step on the happy, snugly couple snoozing on the floor.)

The flight was... standard.  I actually slept through most of it as the lady beside me was less than pleasant when she had to get up and let me by to my window seat.  But at the end she apologized for leaning on me in her sleep and made nice talking about how people bring too much stuff on planes and she hates flying because it takes so long to get off the aircraft.  I guess in the end it wasn't me she hated, she was just sleepy.  At the baggage claim in LaGuardia Ann Marie found me!! We collected my belongings and decided to take the most cost effective way back to her apartment (from Queens to Brooklyn) which included one lengthy mostly crapped and standing bus ride (although a delightful man assisted me in getting my bags off the bus,) followed by three very large flights of stairs (another man carried my heaviest bag up two flights for me!) and a subway ride.  But the view, THE VIEW, from the subway crossing over the East Bay was simply magical.  We had a clear shot of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty (who looked as big as a plastic army toy,) and a panoramic view of Manhattan!! That's when the calm started, "Hello, pretty city!"

Ann Marie fed me as soon as we arrive to her cute little apartment, and we started the search for temporary housing immediately.  Then off to work she went, leaving me with a time to meet a potential apartment, directions as to which subway to take, a phone number and my shiny new MetroCard! I proceeded to get completely lost for the better part of three hours, ended up on Wall Street instead of farther into Brooklyn, missed the appointment and ultimately the space got rented before I could find my way back. Sad! But on a happier note, I did get to see a man walking around with his pet snake about his neck in the subway.  He then kissed it on the snout and replaced it in his large yellow laundry bag.

So to recap:

Travel. Bad coffee.Travel. Panic. Travel. Heavy things. Nice people. Hit the ground running. Subways are confusing. Don't be late. Weirdo Snakes make it all worth it.

Oh, and some man stopped and asked me for directions!! Does that mean I look like I know what I'm doing!? Score!!!!!

Also, there was a most adorable little asian girl drinking bubble tea on the train. she was super cute. The end.

Love is in the Air

often times i can be cynical and slightly bitter, especially in the romantic realm, but this made my heart full and happy. i hope; i wish; i'm certain; one day, this will be for me.

NY, I <3 you. Trailor

la la la...

i love music. i love that there is a song for every occasion; whether you need someone to be sad with you, someone who understands your plight; whether you need someone to scream to the top of their lungs with you, or sing happy joy with you; whether you need someone to hold your hand and skip through the flowers with you, or reminisce about days gone by; whether you need someone to show you the light at the end of the dark tunnel, or someone who understands the insanity of new love and first butterflies.  i love that when you turn it up super loud, the entire world can just fade away and it's nothing but you and your song, your voice, your instrument, your soul.


-

I And Love And You - The Avett...

this was an entire list of about 5 songs. but blogger decided to hate me, so one will have to be enough...

oh life, it's just you again. joy.

me: i just want to love him! why won't he let me?

 Erin: you should ask him THAT

me:  i would sound bat-shit crazy if i asked him that. haha

 Erin:  so? you don't really have anything to lose...

 me:  i guess not. but i think i would just get silence. so what's the point?

 Erin:  knowing that you tried.

and knowing is half the battle

i hate wondering what if

 Erin:  that shit sucks

the imagined never goes away

the actual you can learn to deal with or get over...

but is it really so easy?? to just say it, just put it out there, make yourself that intensely vulnerable? what do you have to lose? the possibility. the hope. maybe it's better to jump in the fire, let it burn if it must. then move forward. oy, could someone else please handle this part of my life? thanks.

The Trouble with Rachel...

After reading a lovely little blog I like to frequent, (curious girl ) I have decided she has the right idea about focusing on your life and the things about you and your character that hold you back from your hearts desires.  As I read Lisa's list, I realized this is a woman in her 40s who finds some of the things that hold her back which are surprisingly similar to the things I find in myself.  So here goes, "the trouble with Rachel..."

1. She is insightful and full of deep thought, which often times comes out in a way that isn't constructive to others but seems more judgmental.  She doesn't know how to take the truth and the insight and present it in a soft way that allows people to really hear her; so what they actually hear is a "know it all bitch who needs to get off her high horse."  She also needs to learn to turn this insight on herself and her own personal life, and truly listen to close friends advice.
2. She has a tendency to "vent" about her problems to just about anyone who will listen; and while this is therapeutic at times, it often makes her seem more of a gossip than she really means to be.
3. She wants to live a healthier lifestyle but is incredibly lazy and will blow off exercise for any little excuse (creating lists, blogging, surfing the internet, shopping, lunch.)
4. She doesn't trust people in general, but specifically men, leaving her heart constantly guarded.  If she let's that guard down, it becomes nearly impossible to let that person go, or to give someone new a chance.
5. She loves to plan and start projects, but she never has any follow through.
6. She allows "fear" to have a huge hand, and typically the deciding vote, in her biggest life decisions. 
7. She needs for all things to be in their place but is also a massive clutter bug.  These things don't go hand in hand and often lead to stress and a feelings of anxiety in her day to day living space.
8. She desperately wants an outlet for her artistic side but is too lazy, scared, unsure, to actually fulfill this passion.

I'm sure at some point I will add to this list (and maybe even be lucky enough to delete) but for now this is what I have. These are some of the things about me that one might consider flaws.  I'm  not saying it's all bad stuff, but you know... all things in moderation.

24 Things To Do Before I Turn 25

ok, so this is a borrowed idea from a lovely lady out in Portland. (hula  )  and although this list isn't particularly large, i also only have six months it i plan to have it completed by my 25th birthday. which is in july. the start of july actually. so here goes

24 Things to do Before I turn 25

1. move to NYC with ann marie.

2. paint a canvas.

3. purge my belongings and sell the lot

4. go to a live play

5. see a concert

6. make a snowball

7. complete a long overdue handmade gift

8. bake a cake

9. throw a themed party with food

10. obtain a camera and learn basic photography

11. manage something

12. create 52 blog entries

13. leave the country

14. spend an entire day volunteering

15. practice yoga

16. play an entire song on the piano from memory

17. put my feet in an ocean that isn't the Atlantic

18. attend a local art show

19. go to a flea market and find one fabulous something

20. go skating, whether it be roller or ice

21. read four books

22. create and fill a "quote jar"

23. spend an entire day laying in the warm grass with a book, some music and a picnic

24. refinish my kitchen table

tall order? perhaps.