Day 1 (6.23): To everyone who secretly thought “she’s never going to get a job in NYC.” : I thought the same thing. Really… I was just hoping I was wrong. Turns out, I was. Today I got a job offer and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s nice to know I have something permanent tying me here… I’m not going anywhere.

This city has a unique way of exhausting me. I spent the day celebrating life (as I do w/ most days, but today was special). I met up with a new friend who happens to be well versed in the happenings of NYC. We walked around the West Village … now I’m normally pretty good with directions here, but in the West Village the normal grid of the city streets and avenues doesn’t apply. I have no idea where I was most of the time. I love the quaint feel that the west village has (a type of city quaint). The high end designer shops on many corners are like little hints of NYC. We walked into the Meat Packing District — which I previously thought to be Chelsea — and strolled into the Chelsea Market. Sushi was had — I had to celebrate right! It was marvelous.

I’m so happy I could burst. 

Day 2 (6.24): Signed and e-mailed offer letter agreement. Bought Pelmini from a corner Russian store (!!). Helped my roommate carry a bunch of books to IKEA… not literally.

It was my first time in a car (besides a cab) since moving here. I would never survive driving here.

Redhook, Brooklyn

Brooklyn skyline.
On our drive today I noticed just how many bridges there are in and out of Manhattan. According to Wikipedia, there are over 2,000 bridges & tunnels in NYC.

I drove through the batman tunnel today. It was awesome. 

Day 3 (6.25): Took a stroll along the south edge of Central Park today… haven’t really been there yet. Columbus circle is the most convenient stop for me so I started there. It’s a big station and brings in a good deal of tourists to the area. There are bike rental workers trying to get you to rent their bike every two feet. Folks can be seen hanging out by the fountain and sure enough a few groups of said tourists have already signed up for said bike rentals.

It’s all part of the daily routine here.

Along the south edge of the park I saw more horse carriages just chillen’ than anywhere else… perhaps this is their hangout spot? No clue. You also get some neat views of the park.

On my way home on the subway…

I ended my day with a wine tasting on a rooftop in SoHo with the most stunning view of Manhattan accompanied by a group of very lovely ladies.

Goodness me, I’m one lucky lady! 

Day 4 (6.26):  Lunch in the Bronx with my Aunt. A bit of Jazz in the West Village after a long stroll and more food than I should ever consume.

Today, I was glutenous.

Day 5 (6.27): My good friends, Mercedes & Travis, came to visit. I wanted to squeeze a bunch into one day and I think we did pretty well… After searching out some yummy street food and strolling around the east village just a bit, we explored the west village (making sure to get some ice cream at the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop).

We then made our way into the meat packing district and right onto the Highline.

Lunch was had at the Chelsea Market and then we made our way back into the east village (passing the Flat Iron building for viewing pleasure) for some bar hopping. We ended our night with some live music at Rockwood Music Hall and happily made our way back home.

Great friends. Great visit. 

Day 6 (6.28):  Checked out an apartment in Park Slope which turned out to be perfect (from what I understand, that doesn’t exist in NY). Don’t know if I got it.

Side note: I talk about the weather a bunch (to people here), because I can’t seem to figure it out. Nobody understands what I’m talking about.

Totally worn out = all day naps.

Day 7 (6.29): One week before I get back into the real world… I have been playing make-believe in the city since I first moved here. The life I have lead has been much too extravagant – albeit incredible – to be sustainable. I’m going to take the next week to enjoy the last bits of my honeymoon with my lover [NYC] and begin to implant some real structure into my life.

Some points to keep in mind:

• Cook at home more.
• Get a gym membership — I tried the whole running outside thing. I get crazy distracted and stop to look at something every .25 miles or at the very least every mile… I’m also more interested in getting back into shape — which is not going to happen with 2/3 mile runs… I need to do interval training and weight lifting — none of which I like doing outdoors. Once I find a permanent home, I’m getting a gym membership.
• Read on the subway — I’ve always thought that was a great idea, but I forget to grab a book every time I leave the house. I need to make this into a habit.
• Drink more water — I’m not even going to mention the amount of money spent on alcohol since I got here and instead focus on the fact that alcohol is not so good for me. I’m taking it down a notch, or two.
• Take more photo series.

I have one more week of honeymooning with my lover [NYC] and I plan to enjoy it.

I’m spending this lovely Sunday enjoying the city with my friends Mercedes & Travis (they’re coming back for one more day from upstate NY). I’m taking them for some dim sum for brunch in China town and then letting the city lead the way.

I also need another set of sheets.

Another week of loving NYC.