| Happy anniversary! |
[Jul. 30th, 2008|11:16 pm] |
One year ago today, I moved to New York City. I would have arrived on my best friend’s (now fiance!) birthday. Instead, my flight was delayed five hours due to a storm nowhere near Pittsburgh, nor New York. But that’s where the plane was coming from, so my official moving anniversary lies squarely in the early morning hours of July 30. At the time, M was managing breakfast shift at a fancy restaurant. By the time he brought me home, he had only enough time to throw his suit and tie on before rushing out the door. I slept on my air mattress for several hours, and unpacked my suitcase the best I could before venturing out. I purchased a subway pass and rode downtown, not sure where I was heading. Got off somewhere downtown… and walked. (Consequently, this is still one of my favorite things to do.) I saw Ground Zero for the first time and discovered the Excellent Dumpling House in Chinatown. As if it was yesterday, I can remember sitting there, sipping my tea and underlining things in my little AAA guidebook. It was like a dream and i kept telling myself: you live here, you finally live here. Oh and the dumplings? Heavenly. It was also that day that I was introduced to Zona Rosa, home of the best margaritas in midtown. Today, I went to the beach. It is a somewhat long ride from The Bronx to Brighton Beach, but I am still in awe that I am a mere hour and a half, and $2, away from the beach. The beach! And the ride on the air conditioned train is well worth the trip. Aside from the fact that it’s the beach. I only stayed for a little while. It was late by the time I got there, however I hadn’t intended for it to an extensive trip. Then I came home, showered, had a bit of dinner, and vegged out. Watched Project Runway. They did a challenge where the contestants were to take pictures of New York at night, and use them as inspiration. It was to depress me, to watch shows like that… I wanted to live here so badly and had been let down in the past, by someone too scared to make good on a promise. Everything happens for a reason. But now- to see that footage and realize that yes, I really truly do live here… is so cool. That’s my city! That’s a place I saw today, out and about on my daily adventures. It’s a really neat thing. I am no less excited than I was that very first day. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 6th, 2008|08:29 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | 4th of july, dinner, disappointing, home, michael, pinkberry, plans, rain, ripped pants, trent, weekend | ] |
It has been sort of a disappointing weekend. Didn't see fireworks on the 4th.... it was raining on and off all night and we weren't really sure if they were even going to go off.
I did get to hang out with Trent, which was exciting. I broke his Pinkberry virginity and then we went walking through the park. We were going to find a coffeehouse, till I slipped on Park Ave and ripped my pants. (Done the front somehow? Perhaps I can stitch them.) So we had to run to Da Bronx, so I could put on a more appropriate pair. While sitting here, we both got super sleepy and realized we weren't going to make it to a coffeehouse, so we called it a night.
Yesterday Michael and I both had off. On a Saturday! I looked up all kinds of things: the NY Botanical Garden was free 10-12 and the phil was playing on Governer's Island. We missed free admission to the garden by 10 minutes. Which truly wasn't a big deal because then, it started pouring. Again. So we would have gotten like, 15 rain free minutes, had we made it on time. We took a nice walk through the Bronx, found Arthur Ave and got familiar with the buses and where they go. Which was good, because we realized we don't really live far from Arthur Ave at all.
Ended up not going to Governer's Island because, tada, it rained ALL afternoon. And the website said they wouldn't play in inclement weather. It did stop, about two hours before the concert was to start. But we wouldn't have made it, assuming the concert went on.
Instead, Michael made a yummy stir fry and brownies. I chatted with my girls, took silly pictures and video, drank wine, hung out. It was a nice day, even though it didn't go as hoped. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 24th, 2008|09:39 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  weird | ] |
I'm in a really weird mood tonight. Not bad, just indescribable.
Also, I have way too much to do. As usual. And also, not in a bad way.
I have trouble getting motivated after work. Granted, by the time I walk a mile to the station in the morning, deal with subway, spend nine hours on my feet running around, deal with the subway again, walk the mile home.... it's a full day. I dig my job, and the days almost always pass very quickly. And I love this life- the trains, the walking, all of it. I guess I just don't realize how much it can take out of you? And I mean, I make nice lists. I still carry my beloved planner. But it seems like regardless of whether I make a little plan for myself or just think about things here and there, during the course of my work day, that would be AWESOME to do when I get off, I get home and it's like blah. Eat. Chill in front of the computer. Read. Watch an indie or a documentary or something, maybe. I do get lots of pictures edited- though I'm starting to think I'm going to be chronically behind on that. Which is fine. I'd rather have the pictures than feel like I don't want to take more, lest the others are not yet finished.
Still have not unpacked from our trip back to Pittsburgh. Oops. Consequently, the trip was very nice. Saw our families, had some great meals out, did some shopping where it's cheaper. I wish there had been a little more time- by the time we see all three families (my mom, dad, and Michael's parents), there isn't any time to visit anyone else and I miss my friends, man. But it was a fun trip. The bus on the way there was small. I was comfortable, but Michael Long Legs was def not. Mom's house is the best to stay at, it's like a freaking resort. It's just the most beautiful house. Uncle Craig's wedding was lovely, and I got to meet my newest second cousin. (Braden, he's only a week old!)
On the bright side, we have groceries! Had dinner at Edward's after work and voyaged to Brooklyn for our Target/Pathmark run. Unfortunately, our cart broke. Busted. No big deal except poor Michael had to get the stupid thing up and down a ton of steps, around the LIRR to the 2 track and then the mile home.
One of those weeks. I was at the Pride Rally Sunday (it was inspiring and funny and awesome, I really enjoyed it) and it started POURING the last half hour. Bummer because I so wanted to go to drum circle afterwards. But as I was turning to leave the lawn, who do I run into but a guy I worked for, for YEARS, back in Pittsburgh. Craziness. Anyway, we were en route to get a cocktail and someone stepped on the back of my hippy skirt or it caught on something or something because it ripped. Clear across my ass. Haha. Brand new sundress and sushi at Sushi Planet later, and Michael and I were ready to go out. We hung out at Stonewall Inn. Good times. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 11th, 2008|12:45 am] |
Okay, so I honestly don't much care for air conditioning. I still maintain that. However, this heat wave has made our first floor apartment digustingly warm. I am soaked with sweat from the moment I walk in and the only thing that helps at all are damp towels from the fridge, of which we have am ample, rotating supply. I will admit, when you walk everywhere, it is nice to have a bit of "ahhhh" to walk into. But you know I'd be bitching about the AC being too cold. On the subway, it is frigid.
We leave for Pittsburgh tomorrow on the red-eye. My uncle's getting married Saturday. I am really excited, I haven't seen my extended family in a long time.
I packed our suitcase tonight. Tomorrow, I will wrap gifties and pack my carry-on. I was hoping to start that tonight but our laundromat sucks balls. The dryer I was using for the bulk of my stuff wasn't working, and it took me twice as long as it should have. Oh well, it will get done in its own good time, right? |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 26th, 2008|09:03 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | beach, coney island, drum circle, homesick, imagine mosaic, lonely, pictures, sad, scrapbooking, strawberry fields, tan, washing square park art fest | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  lonely | ] |
So yesterday was a grand adventure. It was everything I love about living here. I went to the Washington Square Park art fest, a flea market... I sang Beatles songs at Strawberry Fields and danced in the middle of one of the biggest, most awesome drum circles I have ever witnessed. Met Michael at work, short stroll through the city, dinner and drinks at South Street Seaport. Just amazing.
Today, I'm like what better to top off my fabulous weekend? I'll go to the beach! It's supposed to go up to 80! So I packed myself a nice bag with magazines and snacks and took the train down to Coney Island. Which is always very cool- how different from the middle of winter, the last time I was there! But I am homesick for my family and everyone was with their families, boyfriends, etc. So I got to feeling very lonely. I tried to lay on the beach but it was too windy really, so I walked along the beach and boardwalk, bought some treats, and came home.
I have the start of a tan though!
I cleaned a little and worked on my pictures and napped. Michael is stuck at work, and I'm sad about that too.
In other news, I realized I now spend as much time editing and organizing photos as I do at my day job. Wow.
I think I'm going to go work on my scrapbook some. I compiled "the best of" pictures from my time here so far, and am hoping to have the book done in time for my uncle's wedding! |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 22nd, 2008|09:55 pm] |
Two trains, a ferry, one more train, a bit of walking... and you can reach the most amazing, secluded hiking trails with brooks and marshland. One of the things I love most about this city. Michael packed us a spectacular picnic lunch: celery with peanut butter, green pepper and carrot with Italian dressing, Goldfish crackers, animal crackers, snack mix, dry cereal, grapes, Fruit by the Foot, chocolate, drinks. We got lost trying to find the park, as the website made it seem as though the road we needed to travel down was right off the train when in reality, there were a few turns to make first and we got fairly lost walking the wrong way through suburbia. But once we got turned around, we had a great lunch and the weather held up so perfectly. The day before (and today) were chilly and rainy but yesterday was just right. We got to watch the ships coming in for Fleet Week, escorted by the Coast Guard. It was really neat, and totally delightfully unintentional, to take a ferry ride on that particular day.
My prints arrived, so I am getting ready to make the first NYC scrapbook. It's been over a year since I scrapbooked and I missed it very much. Sort of laughing to myself because you know, most people get ready to go see their families and gather their two rolls of film or their little slide album or whatever. I've invested probably close to a dozen hours so far- selecting the best 500 pictures or so to represent my time here so far, organizing everything, etc. It's so worth it. |
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| Sometimes, my horoscope is right on.... |
[May. 17th, 2008|07:10 pm] |
Saturday, May 17th, 2008 -- Your long-term goals can overwhelm your daily schedule today as you attempt to make plans for the future. But the present, too, needs a bit of your undivided attention, so come back to current events now, before you go adventuring into the far reaches of distant time. If you make an effort at handling what's right in front of you, you may be rewarded tomorrow by getting an opportunity to solidify a larger plan. |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 15th, 2008|07:00 pm] |
Went to the Queens Botanical Garden yesterday. It was a lovely adventure, made even better by the fact that I passed a wedding shop and met this fabulous lady who makes gowns. She had all sorts of colors in the window so I stopped in, and she was wonderful. She showed me pages from magazines and sketches other girls had, and what they wanted altered, and the actual dresses (which were stunning).
Work today was quick and relatively painless. People can be so very stupid, but eh. Best to be surrounded by coworkers who find the humor in it. And an insult button that says things like "if I wanted any shit from you I'd squeeze your head". |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 7th, 2008|10:37 pm] |
I went to Staten Island today. Really, I just wanted to ride the ferry- it was every bit as cool as I thought it would be. I did some research last night and found that the Botanical Gardens are situated in this cultural center complex, so I figured I'd check it out. It was a lovely day for wandering around. Some of the gardens were well kept but others looked completely deserted. It was a far cry from Brooklyn's Botanical Garden, which was lush and breathtaking. But I sort of like creepy things, and this was creepy. There were so few people- even the childrens museum was nearly silent. Very strange. Everything felt ghostlike. It was a nice little afternoon trip though. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 15th, 2008|09:46 pm] |
I decided I want to be a photographer when I grow up. It's the only thing that makes me feel as good as dancing. (Not that I plan on stopping that- I would like to be a dancing photographer.)
Not that I know much about photography except: see something cool, push the button.
But I feel like all signs point to this as a career. And I have to find some way to make it happen. Because I always said that if I went back to school, I'd go for photography. And then I thought... why am I not making this happen for myself? |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 4th, 2008|02:05 pm] |
Not feeling so well today, but restless... not a good combination. Ugh.
In addition to the CD-ROM being broken, now the computer won't recognize my camera cord. Both of my memory cards were full, so I got the larger one transferred to disc. Then I impatiently went to Kinos to use their computers and upload the pictures to flickr. As a general rule, I don't delete pictures till they're backed up two places because I'm paranoid. And anyone who knows me know that one of the things closest to my heart are my pictures... Of course, their computers were slow as hell. And only about fifty percent of the photos actually uploaded in two hours. Which was not only expensive but terribley frustrating because they don't upload in any order whatsoever. So I made a list of every photo, and am painstakingly marking off the ones that uploaded as I make them public, add titles and tags, crop them, etc. It's not ideal, but at least I found a system.
I feel scattered today. And sick with my "time of the month". I should go get my paycheck cashed- Michael and I were going to go out tonight and were really looking forward to it. But he's had a not-so-great day at work and with me not feeling so hot, I doubt we'll actually follow through with our original plans. However, I should go get my check cashed just in case we want to later, I guess. |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 22nd, 2008|09:31 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | auditions, birthday, brooklyn bridge, cake, central park, dance, home, michael, mom, mp3 player, new york city, rant, salsa, tourists, zona rosa | ] |
Our CD-Rom is busted, so my mom kindly took my brand new MP3 player and like, 50 CDs back to Pittsburgh with her and put music on it for me. She sent back in a care package with a card that had a lollipop condom sticker-ed on the back and the limited edition pastel Junior Mints. She is the coolest, ever. And how did I ever live without an MP3 player?
In other news, we had a lovely visit. Went shopping, bought Sketchers, had some really excellent meals. My did my birthday dinner at Zona, and Michael managed to orchestrate getting a giant, Betty Boop cake from our favorite Dominican bakery in the Bronx to Zona, in perfect condition may I add. It was a wonderful suprise and the cake- vanilla with chocolate sauce filling, and buttercream frosting in vanilla and cherry, was amazing. We explored City Island, this tiny adorable fishing village off of the Bronx. It still intrigues me what an expansive, diverse city this is! You would never believe you were still in NYC.
I left the salsa program. It was not an easy decision, because I really liked my instructor and genuinely wanted to see the venture go somewhere... but the truth was, it simply wasn't. And beyond that, the training schedule itself was getting a bit ridiculous and the group classes were progressing at a slow rate. I'm thankful for the training though- now I can do a social dance that I've always wanted to learn, pretty well if I do say so myself. Not to mention the auditions I can go to now, having expanded my abilities... Besides that, I would have never met J if I hadn't done it and she is one of my very best friends here. Plus she has a kickass, burgeoning group of her own that I'm honored to be part of. So, all in all, more good came from the whole thing than bad and that's the most you can ever ask for! I have to say though, it is a huge relief. It was simply getting to be too much, to be worried about class all of the time like that and know you were going to get a passive-aggressive, "stern" response if you had to miss a class- even though the material was that which you had already covered dozens of times before. So, yeah.
Since then, I auditioned for one company that I absolutely love. It's sort of Latin jazz with salsa and really well put together. I enjoyed the audition so much... I felt like I did really well on two of the sections: the jazz portion and partnering. I was shakey on the shines though... the one they taught was sort of a continuous loop that I wasn't quite hitting and I don't feel so confident improving them. But I was so glad I went and now I'm just waiting to hear back. I have a similar audition coming up this week. It would be awesome if this were the next big thing. I absolutely love the ballroom, but I don't want to give up my ballet/jazz and getting to combine them would just be ideal.
Today Michael and I took a long walk through Central Park. WE started up around 110th and worked our way down. Determined that the Shakespeare Gardens will indeed be beautiful for wedding pictures and got to go to the top of Belvedere Castle. It always disgusts us to see tourists who allow their children to climb on the Bethesda fountain though. Just fucking disrespectful. Go to one of the hundreds of playgrounds. And then, the tourists walking on my sacred Imagine mosaic to get pictures. Ugh. WTF? I wouldn't go to Hong Kong or Europe and climb all over their landmarks. The fact that Americans are perceived as being so rude may have some basis in truth but the fact is this: people from every other country that I've seen are JUST AS BAD. If not worse. They often tend to be rude, arrogant, disrespectful, and generally nasty.
But anyway, then we went and had a salad and stopped by Pinkberry. Michael had to work tonight so I've just been hanging out at home: listening to music, playing on teh web, talking to my mom, reading. I miss him so much when he's gone, but it is enjoyable to have the house to myself sometimes. Nice and quiet!
Tomorrow we both have the day off, for the first time in weeks. It's supposed to be another nice spring-ish day, so we're probably gonna walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, which I've deemed as one of my "must have" NYC experiences. Plus we're trying to get lots of exercise to get the extra winter pounds off, so this is a bonus. Oh, and I get to take lots of pictures. Which always wins. |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 2nd, 2008|07:36 am] |
I had a really lovely birthday. Slept in (not too late though) and wondered if I should go to Coney Island or spend the day doing other things... I didn't know whether or not I had rehearsal though, and wouldn't till I could check the website later that afternoon, and when I stuck my hand out the door, it was freezing and damp- so long story, short, I opted for other things. I went to Salvation Army and purchased: jeans, wide leg black pants, tank tops in white and black, and two shirts for Michael. I hung out at home, watching ANTM reruns and playing on the computer, went to the gym for a swim, and visited Michael at work. Then I went to Starbucks to wait for him to get off, and read a magazine. We went home for a bit, watched Jeopardy, and got ready. Had lunch at the coolest vegetarian place in the Lower East Side and drinks at Blue Water Grill. It was an all around great day.
T was totally going to give me today off too, as my mom gets in tonight. Had I taken the whole day though, I'd only have two days on my paycheck so I figured I'd go in this morning and leave early if it gets slow. (Hopefully it will, we'll see.)
Time to remove the kitten from my lap and get on that work thing.... |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 25th, 2008|09:49 pm] |
I have an appetite issue, I think... I'm rarely very hungry. I forget to eat. It's not that I don't eat because I think I need to lose weight. I do need to get myself into performance shape, but I'm older and smarter than to think that skipping meals will help me reach that goal any quicker... I just forget to eat. Then I feel crappy and Michael reminds me to eat. So I do, and generally then my whole sense of well being returns and I can think clearly and physically I don't feel like crap.
He takes such good care of me. Always has.
Work was sorta of, really dead and then kinda of crazy and kind of frustrating. We had yummy cupcakes for Sean's birthday and I took some neat pictures that I really dig. We did a fun combination in salsa- I felt like I really got it and was able to dance it rather than think my way through it.
All in all, a good day. But I'm happy to be home. My contacts are shitty and one was killing me, I could not get that thing out of my damn eye fast enough! I need to give in and make my appointments: eye, dentist, all of it. You know you're a grownup when you're genuinely excited that part of your birthday gift includes money to cover a dentist appointment, birth control, and new contacts.
Our CD-ROM is still busted. Mom is going to take my MP3 player home with her so she can hook it up. I feel like sort of a loser but i hate that I still can not use it. I'm going to curl up on the couch and decide which music I most want!
I feel a little stressed and overwhelmed. Blah. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 23rd, 2008|04:09 pm] |
I stopped by work today, as I didn't work yesterday or today but needed to pick up and cash my paycheck. And I was like, really happy to see my coworkers. And I am genuinely excited to return to work tomorrow. Which makes me feel really, ridiculously lucky.
Then I went to Pinkberry to see Michael. The blackberries there are so amazing. I am way addicted to Pinkberry.
Next up was some grocery shopping. I hate Fairway with a passion, but it's convienant and has my health food. I need to go much later though- Saturday afternoon is too insane for my taste. You can't move or turn anywhere without ramming into someone. I don't often get claustrophobic, even in NYC... but that is one place that gets to me. But now I have low fat muffins and good meals for the week, and dried cranberry with strawberry & these things make the trip worthwhile. I also stopped by my local produce market and got some things for dinner tonight, fruit, and these nut crunch bars I discovered when I moved here.
Tonight is salsa, then dinner at home with Michael. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 20th, 2008|12:49 am] |
Every day when I'm at work, planning my evening, I am MEGA productive once I get home. The reality is that, once I get home, I usually lose momentum. (Unless I end up absorbed in crafting but that's another story...) And tonight I got really mad at myself for losing momentum, because dude, I genuinely had much to do- some of which I had procrastinated far too long. So I fought it. And I didn't get as much done as I did earlier in my mind, but I really accomplished quite a lot. In not very much time. And felt damn good about it. So that was cool. I took pictures: wardrobe to send this amazingly awesome (and very patient) photographer, a necklace I want to put on etsy, my rings... I uploaded them. I emailed the photographer, and my mom. I posted ring pictures to my message boards. Then, I did some cardio. And I made a pretty purple necklace, which is probably not going to make it to etsy because I really like it. And I was a little sloppy about the knot, partially because I kinda knew I was going to keep this one and partially because I was experimenting with using thread instead of the wire that came with the kit. It hangs better. So yeah... rock on.
Tomorrow I'm going out dancing, most likely. Even if my buddy can't make it, I should really go myself and get some practice in. |
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| the first Pinkberry proposal |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|10:11 pm] |
Michael asked me to marry him, Monday night. I stopped in after dance, to visit him, and he put the Beatles songs on their ipod and got down on knee and it was just the most romantic thing ever. I have been floating on cloud nine ever since. Spring 2010, baby! I can not believe how much I love this man. And I can truly say: I am going to marry my very best in the world! In Central Park!
Happy Valentine's Day. May it be filled with love- be it romantic, friendship, family, pets, your great passion for what you love doing... |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 6th, 2008|10:55 pm] |
Today was an ordinary day at work. However- I adore my job, so ordinary is most excellent. There were lots of orders, random things... tomorrow there is a nice pile of boxes to put out. I love getting to play with the new toys first! Haha.
I should've gone to the gym afterward but I was really feeling home. So I came on home, napped, talked to my mom and Michael, had grilled cheese, picked up a few things here and there, checked my stuff online, and am now working on craft stuff. Michael will get home soon and we'll share a Pinkberry and cuddle.
Have I discussed my Pinkberry addiction yet? I could seriously eat the stuff three times a day. It is the yummiest. And it's good for you. *heart* Last night Michael brought me one with mochi and blackberries. Yumminess. Pure yumminess.
Since returning to my original LJ, I want to write again. The energy was just off on the other one I guess. That's okay though. I'm back, I'm writing. Life is good.
It is unseasonabley warm. Like spring. It would've been a fabulous Coney Island day... alas, it was a work day and it had not occured to me to take my cameras with me and swing over for sunset. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 3rd, 2008|10:21 pm] |
It is nice to live in a city whose team is playing in the Superbowl... and it's not the 24/7 topic of everyone's daily lives. I love that our team got this far and I scarcely had to hear about it at all.
Work was not as annoying as yesterday. It was very hectic however. My feet hurt though, and by hour eight I was way over it. I was hoping to get a lot accomplished when I got home but I was tired. Not sleepy, to nap, just tired. So I didn't do much of anything. I'm ok with that though.
I'm watching wedding shows on tv. Good times.
It's feeling just a tiny bit like spring. I know it's going to be bitter cold again, plenty... but the reprieve is nice. Michael and I are going to go to the park tomorrow probably. I have greatly missed our days in Central Park and am hoping for mild weather. |
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| I wanted to start fresh, but I just couldn't. And then I didn't want to anymore. |
[Feb. 2nd, 2008|09:30 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  nostalgic | ] |
The other night Michael and I were reading excerpts from old journals, laughing over all of our crazy, old school memories. And I realized I've had this LJ for a lot of years, on and off... and realized I didn't want to give it up for a new one. I so wanted to start fresh, but all that stuff- good and bad- is my history and the reason I'm here today. Fuck starting fresh blogwise, I want my cozy little corner of the web back.
So, sorry for the confusion. I'm adding in the entries from the other journal under a cut here, and I'm comin' back to the original.
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