Category: NYC

8.5: I have the next 3 days off from work and I’m lovingggggg having nothing to do. I cleaned the apartment, took care of bills/other non-fun stuff, & have been searching for a place to live while listening to my Dumpstaphunk station on Pandora for the past hour. ❤

I spent the rest of the reuniting w/ my good friend Tina from Orlando (who also has made NYC home) with a trip to the museum, a bowl of the most delicious $2 I’ve ever spent, and bluegrass tunes. It was a day well spent.

I’ve mentioned these dumplings before — Prosperity Dumplings — and I’ll mention them again. The ‘restaurant’ (if you want to call it that) is about the size of my walk-in closet back in Orlando with a kitchen. The menu is incredibly cheap and the food is good enough to risk a food coma. The line was out the door spilling out onto the side walk when we got there and I’m pretty sure this is a common scene.

8.6:  My Wednesday:

* Check out another apartment [I’m still being uber picky… not sure if I actually have that luxury anymore]

* Meet friend for lunch at the newest food fad (fancy Ramen) — only to realize I don’t like wasabe as a soup flavor.

* Wait around for lottery rush tickets for Hedwig & the Angry Inch only to have over 500 other people show up and enter [We didn’t get the tickets]

* Buy tickets for the second musical on the ‘List of Musicals to See’ and get drunk (on accident) before the show even starts… they serve you $4 IN the theatre, what do they expect?

* Take forever to get home because subways don’t like to work at night.

8.7: I went to the gym gave my sorry ass a great work out (seriously, this out of shape non-sense has got to go). After lunch and some rest time at home (my body was pretty exhausted) I ventured out to help a friend in need. She needed clothes for an interview… and while I’m not the biggest fan of professional attire, shopping in general is a lot of hunting. And since in this scenario I wasn’t the one trying things on, I was down to help.

We followed things up with some street food and brought the evening in people watching and appreciating the city in Washington Square Park.

 8.8: After 3 days of no work I started my 8 day work week…. I’m banking on a good deal of sleep and some serious workouts to get me through this.

When going to take a shower before bed I was un-pleasantly surprised to find out we have no hot water. None. And the water we do have is not just mildly chilly… its ice-water. Having just been to the gym, my options were kind of limited in terms of showering or-not. So I braved the cold and took the quickest shower possible – all the while somewhat screaming profanities at this nonsense.

I’m praying to the apartment gods to bring back the heat.

8.9: Dear Mr. Grumpy on the A train:

It is without a doubt one of the most annoying occurrences when the train decides to stop on the tracks for ‘train traffic’. We all know this to be very suspicious, but your adamant and obnoxious response to the rather animated loud speaker’s announcement is unnecessary. Nobody- and I really mean that – cares what end-of-the-world important meeting you’re about to miss. If it was THAT important you should have used the few brain cells you look like you have to think to take a cab. Or Uber. They’re pretty useful. If you MUST grunt uncontrollably every time the train stops and an announcement is made please do so into a pillow or something. Again, nobody cares. Not me. Not the preggo lady in floral who looks like a bouquet of explosive Lillies. Not the elderly latin couple who, I’m pretty certain, missed their stop in their deep slumber. Not the teenager with the leopard print high tops — he looks like he’s got his own problems, judging by the cranky smugness on his face. And I’m pretty sure the homeless vet standing next to you gives two shits about your important meeting. Please rest assured, your childish tantrums are not going to help move the train along. If anything, you’re slowly building an army of annoyed train goers. Stop.

7.29: This morning after leaving my apartment building and feeling the chill of the wind pushing through my duck studded sweatshirt I was greeted with the funky-iest of sights. A slim, not scrawny, older gentleman (in his late 60s) wearing dark denim pant overalls on top of a pale pink button up shirt, turquoise Nike high tops, and a dark gray fedora came riding by me (waving joyfully) on a tiny blue bicycle that looked as old as he. It was 6.45am.

I woke up early today feeling groggy and cold. I started my day wearing my favorite sweatshirt and favorite [I love NYC] smile.

7.30: Last night after working and grabbing an unbelievably delicious Indian roll at Masala Times [YUM], I hopped into an Uber car and headed towards the airport.

[That wrap though. SO good.]

I’ve been planning to surprise my parents in Orlando with a visit – however quick. I arrived at their home a little after midnight. It took a couple of doorbell rings and a phone call to finally get them to open the door, but success was inevitable. My mom was shocked. I’m not shocked.

Today was a beach day with the whole fam (including my brother who is also visiting from far away lands).

8.1: You know that scene in HIMYM where the gang breaks out into song of everything that they do/feel all in fabulous musical theatre style? I was crossing 6th ave today after hopping off the stuffed rush hour A train at West 4th, when a small crowd of people parted and I saw a young man moving towards me in a series of sideway sashays and forward leaps all the while singing a song [of which I only caught ‘it’s the loveliest day to sing a song’]. Nobody blinked. I giggled gleefully all the way to the restaurant.

I was gone for 2 days. I missed the city so.

8.2: Right as I stepped on to the street  from my office building I was slapped square between the eyes with the most pungent odor resembling what I would call a fishy home-made wine [one which was created w/ the stomping of rotten fish with bare sweaty feet].

The evening was doomed. I was tired and I still had to go grocery shopping and figure out how I’m going to make do without doing laundry until Wednesday (more on that later). Just as I thought all hope was lost I heard… “OH! I wanna dance with somebody… OOHHH with somebody who loooovees me” blaring from a silver Toyota looking car parked along the side of the street. The back door was swung open and a pair of huge muscle-y legs were hanging out on the tips of which held the tiniest little pink furry kitten heels.

I’m not sure who was sitting inside – I was too distracted in conversation – but whoever it was made my night. The entire subway ride to the store and home I had the song stuck in my head. Instead of holding it in I decided to to sing out loud. I enjoyed myself immensely. I wish I knew more of the words than just the 2 phrases.

I pretty much skipped around Manhattan singing the same words over and over without a care in the world.

8.3: Today I’m wearing my very last [ and by last I mean clean]  pair of pants with one of my very last shirts. I’ve been sorta putting laundry off. I’ve been trying to wait a whole month before doing laundry and I’m not so sure that was a good idea.

The thing is, like many folks in NYC I do not have the privilege of a washer/dryer in my building, much less in my apartment. There were a few things I knew I wasn’t going to ‘rough out’ when moving here… doing my own laundry at a mat was one of those things. It takes forever, it’s hot as hell or freezing cold, and I’d much rather just pay someone to pick up a bag of dirty clothes and get clean ones dropped off.

Anyway…I finally got a hold of the laundry man (who happens to have the cutest accent) today. wOOHHOO! The little things that make me happy.

Today I got a really disturbing phone call which turned out to be a scam call. I have never felt so much hatred towards a human. I’m hoping this is nothing several beers and episodes of HIMYM can’t solve. 

7. 14: It rained today. It’s actually been raining for the past couple of days. It reminds me of Florida’s summer afternoon showers… only here I have no car to keep from soaking my feet. Please don’t mistake that for me yearning for a vehicle – I’m not. Maneuvering on the streets during a rain shower is a bit trickier than usual. On any given day there are a bunch of folks walking around – too many of which stop in the middle of the sidewalk for no apparent reason. When rain is coming down, umbrellas tend to go up… And the sidewalk turns into a jigsaw puzzle. Walking around, I had to make sure my giant beige umbrella (it’s one of those with a hook at the tip) did not hit anyone. Seeing as how I’m kind of short, my umbrella height tends to hit people smack dab in the face. I’m sure it isn’t pleasant. Not only do I have to refrain from hitting someone’s face, I’m also having to slide in and out of other umbrellas coming at me from every which direction. I’ve had to pull the ‘Pull Up’ maneuver a couple times today — rising your umbrella well above the other umbrellas to avoid a collision.

As suave as I think I am sometimes, in real life I’m incredibly clumsy. My mom still makes fun of me for spilling food on my shirt at age 24. Knowing this, I probably shouldn’t have been pretending to be a James Bond type while swiveling in and out of umbrella traffic in the middle of a Midtown sidewalk. I was having a lot of fun until I was going too fast to get out of the way of a fabulous looking group of middle aged men who were clearly awestruck by all the tall buildings. It all happened so quickly. One minute I was that crazy swift chick from Kill Bill all dry and mighty under my umbrella and the next I was chasing after my umbrella trying to hold on to my purse and screaming to people to ‘GRAB THAT UMBRELLA. Please’.

When I came home my clothes were soaked, my shoes were squishy, my pride a little hurt, but over-all I’m happy I got to play in the rain on the streets of NYC.

7. 16: It’s Wednesday. It also happens to be my day off. My weekends – for the next 4 weeks – are on Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Today – after my gym sesh – I made lunch and enjoyed some HIMYM re-runs on Netflix. I’ve also spent the good portion of today looking for new places to live and sending out numerous e-mails describing the essentials of ‘me’. It’s weird… trying to find a room in NYC is a lot like online dating only without a profile. I feel myself constantly trying to scream (without the use of any obvious gestures) I’M AWESOME, let me be your roommate. There are lots of great places here, but not many of said awesome places are affordable. There are a few — which is why it’s like a freaking rat race to find one and nail it down. I have until September to find the right place. If the universe is in my favor – which of late, I’m beginning to think it is – I will find some place I can call home for at least one year. I’d really really really like to like my neighborhood. That is all.

I went to the cemetery today. It was awesome.

7.18: I’ve been skipping days, I know. I figured nobody reads all of my weekly updates anyway. On that topic, I’ve gotten several private messages and e-mails about following me on here and I love them! It feels pretty cool knowing my mom isn’t my only audience. Well, along with myself. I love the kind words and would love it even more if you commented on here :] If you have any burning questions (I know my life isn’t THAT exciting) or simply want to pass on a sweet word, let me know on here — I love going through my entries and re-reading them and I would love it even more if I could re-read a comment or two along with them. Thank you for the love.

7.20: This week was rough… getting into my schedule has been a bit more difficult than I had imagined. But all is well. Next week I have another visitor….!! And we will definitely have some awesome adventures on my days off (Many pictures — not iPhone photos — to come!)

I went to a swanky rooftop bar this week and spent $16 on a Cosmo. I didn’t feel any swanky-er post Cosmo, but I was out $16. This scene is not for me, but it was fun pretending I suppose.

Day 1 (7.7): My first day of work went swimmingly! On my way home from work I stopped in Trader Joe’s for some groceries… I wasn’t expecting to end up in the middle of the Produce Wars. Holy Moly! People were screaming and swearing… and I was sure any moment someone was going to throw a blow and turn the whole damn store into a messy battle ground. The space is limited so the store isn’t that large… the line literally wrapped around to the back (yes, really) of the store. People – including myself – just wait in line and shop as the line moves, picking up yogurt here and some broccoli there once the line moves passed what you’re looking for. It’s quite an ingenious plan, I think. As entertaining as it was, I don’t think I’ll be going to TJs at 6pm again.

I lugged my two bags into the subway – which didn’t have any air and was packed with rush-hour-goers. As I was panting on my way home (happy to breathe some fresh air) I realized how happy I was to have been slammed in a train car with a bunch of morons who don’t know how to move to the middle of the car (gathering at the doors and making it hard for new people to come onto the train). I was ticked. It was great.

The things that make me happy. 

Fast forward…

Day 6 (7.12): This week flew by… and quite frankly, the only thing I had energy for once I made it home was to eat and sleep. My week has been full of work, gym, a couple happy hours (Amuse on the LES has an open bar for 2 hours for $15…  not the greatest idea), and eating home-made dinners promptly followed up by passing out. I’m working as a customer service rep at Handybook, so if you ever call for help… perhaps I’ll be there to answer :]

It’s Saturday. My first ‘weekend’ in 8 weeks. I forgot how awesome days ‘off’ actually were when you have days that are ‘on’. I’m loving my new job and all of my new co-workers, but it’s nice to have a break.

I woke up this morning feeling refreshed — I went to sleep pretty early last night after a 1.5 hour gym sesh, spaghetti dinner, and a chick flick — and decided I want a clean apartment. So I cleaned. Everything. Felt so good.

I haven’t really had much outdoor time this week and have been looking forward to going to Smorgesburg for the first time this summer! Smorgesburg is one of my favorite events in NY… it’s held in a couple of different locations in Brooklyn, but on Saturday’s its right on the coast of the East River in Williamsburg. Essentially, it’s a weekly food festival with some 100 vendors creating the most amazing dishes. I’m not sure what took me so long to go!

It was packed with fellow hungry-goers, but the lines were well worth it. I had some chicken creole mufongo… which of course I didn’t take a picture of. This was my first time eating mufongo and I’ve gotta tell ya – it was pretty awesome. I followed the savory dish with a giant ice cream sandwich.

It was a very sunny day, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable… it was lovely.

This evening was equally as lovely as my afternoon!

Hanging out at Washington Square Park is one of my favorite things to do in the city… and its free. The park is overcome with characters! Older gentlemen playing chess with anyone willing to put up a fight, children laughing on the playground, doggies squirming around in their small doggie park, little ones playing in the fountain (one day when it’s super hot, I’m going to join them), ballet performers, a couple of yogis doing their yoga thing, a pianist rocking out on a grand piano under the trees, and everyone else gathered to enjoy the scene. A wonderful place to spend my late afternoon!

The perfect Saturday. 

Day 7 (7.13): Before I moved I had this weird disillusion that NYC was clean. It’s not. Multiple times a day I see people littering without a second thought (hence all the trash along the sides of streets) and every so often I’ll get the loveliest whiff of rotten something or other intermingled with urine as I walk through an intersection. Not to mention Chinatown’s own god-aweful stench –my nose protests my being there every time. Although I haven’t seen it myself, I’ve heard multiple people mention seeing shit on the subway (I’m having second thoughts about sitting). And today I saw someone’s dinner from last night (I’m assuming) hurled all over the orange seats in the A train. It’s not clean. Not even remotely. Some parts of the city are cleaner than others, for sure. And the subway stations definitely have the ugly siblings and the upscale cousins. Of course I would prefer not to be subjected to smelling the unique combination of human feces and trash, but it’s just a part of living on a tiny city with millions of residents (plus millions more tourists). Lots of people (many of whom are without a home) + not much space + heat = stinky times. I saw some ads in the subway trying to get restrooms into subway stations — maybe that will help. Maybe not. I don’t really care.

I was riding the subway this morning having a longwinded debate on whether or not I should ever sit on the subway again (all in my head of course) when an older latin couple walked onto the train and began playing and singing. I see this couple every so often and I love them a little more every single time. I don’t even know them. This strange affection towards complete strangers is what I love most about NYC. I love these people. All of them. Even the extremely creepy ones. New York isn’t perfect. That’s what makes it perfect for me.

Can’t believe it’s already been 2 months. 

Day 1 (6.30): I often find myself reflecting on life. Too often, probably. My greatest fear is to have wasted my life -somehow- by wasting a day, an hour, a moment – what have you. Living in NYC makes it even harder to reflect on wasted time… How could I not take advantage of the city every waking moment?!? It’s quite exhausting.

Last weekend involved a great deal of exploration – which comes with walking, eating, & drinking. I’m young and have quite the tolerance for all three activities, but even I need a break. Today I’m taking time off from the wonders of the city — at least until 9pm. I’ll be at home… preparing for my new job and other inside activities (that don’t include hours of Facebook or Charmed).

[Ended my day with a bluegrass jam… wish I could’ve stayed later, but I’m not sure coming home too late is a good idea in my neighborhood. One more month and hopefully I’ll be living with more ease.]

Bluegrass is pure magic. 

Day 2 (7.1): Spent the day reading up on policies & procedures for my new job and browsing craigslist for a new place to call home. This time I’m really hoping for something more permanent (at least 1 year). I can’t be too picky, but I definitely have some priorities — 1. safe neighborhood that is somewhat close to the subway 2. Clean roommates  — everything else is second priority. I was really hoping to find something in Park Slope (my favorite neighborhood thus far), but hardly anyone is renting there. The previous apartment I went to check out (the ‘perfect’ place) I didn’t end up getting.

Even though apartment hunting is a pain in NYC, I feel much more relaxed than the first time around. I sent out some 20 e-mails… we’ll see.

Checked out the LES today… it’s weird. Many parts of NYC have a way of combining grunge and trendy into a hip location. The LES takes that to the extreme… I was walking on Grand (which to me was pretty grungy) and then turned the corner onto Orchard St and all the sudden there were tiny cafes and vintage boutiques & giant colorful graphics hanging from walls… its just strange to me how the two worlds collide more so in the LES than anywhere else I’ve seen thus far.

NYC = puzzle.

Day 3 (7.2): The weather was gross. Hot in the 1st part of the day and crazy thunder storm in the 2nd. NY bagels were had and Casper was watched.

I never thought it was possible, but gaining weight in 6 weeks is not hard. With all the amazing food (not to mention bars) around me I’ve gotten a little out of hand… As my honeymoon comes to an end, I’ve realized I’ve spent too much money and eaten too much food for my own good. Thus, I must get back to my normal spending and eating habits right away. Tonight, I made one of my usual meals… a hardy salad: Buckwheat, baby spinach, sliced tomato, green peppers, green onions, red onions, avocado, sunflower seeds, a tad bit of olive oil + salt + pepper + garlic powder = Dinner.

Next Up: gym membership… time to fit comfortably into my pants again.

Meanwhile, the apartment hunt continues. 

Day 4 (7.3): It was supposed to rain today so I didn’t leave the house (I didn’t need to do anything outside). It is now 7:45pm and it just now rained for like 10 minutes and then stopped. The big storm everyone kept telling me about lasted 10 minutes.

Today’s salad was just as yummy and healthy as last night’s dinner: Quinoa, pepper, tomato, green onion, red onion, avocado, sunflower seeds, curried lentils,  baby spinach, and olive oil + salt + pepper + garlic powder.

What does one do when stuck at home? Watch movies, duh.

I want to meet the person who thought and wrote the script for Baby Geniuses.  

Day 5 (7.4): Wake up. Go outside. Step in a giant pile of dog shit. [My day in a nutshell.]

I went to see another apartment today. It was pretty great too, but I’m no fool — I’m not going to get my hopes up this time! My roommie, Chelsea, accompanied me and we went to dinner in a small Thai restaurant afterwards.

[side note: I’m starting a feat like no other — I’m going to try to eat all the dumplings in NYC! Not all at once, of course. And honestly, this feat is quite impossible seeing as how new places are constantly popping up and old ones closing down — its a never ending circle of culinary births & deaths in the city. Either way, I’d like to attempt it. I’ve been eating all sorts of dumplings since I got here, but now I’d like to keep track of which ones I’ve tried – and how awesome they were.]

Thai crepe dumplings – Spice Thai

Really crunchy. Too crunchy (peanuts). Meat was a bit dry. Otherwise, really delicate rice dumpling texture.

Today is America’s Independence Day and New York City had a special fireworks show over the East River. I was really hoping to get to see with the skyline as the background. Unfortunately, so did the rest of NYC. By the time we got to the coast (on the Manhattan side), there were far too many people for us to get anywhere  near the bridges. So we went home. [We could still see the fireworks, but without the skyline in the background it’s just another firework show.]

I win the Grumpy Pants Award for today.

Day 6 (7.5): I’ve been meeting and talking with a bunch of people since I’ve moved. A lot of these folks wonder how I’m ‘adjusting’ to life…  Applying to jobs in NYC without a single NY job on a resume is difficult because  – apparently –  employers think NYC will scare the living shit out of someone new before they have a chance to stick around. When I came here I never felt out of place or shaken. Sure, I was extremely excited and beside myself with awe, but I was never distraught with the new lifestyle. I’ve never felt so at home in my life. I’m constantly questioning all of my decisions, but not this one. Nothing has felt so (for the lack of a better word) ‘right’ for me. I don’t see NYC scaring me out anytime soon.

With that said, I joined a gym today. Hallelujah! I was so excited to finally get a good workout!

So excited to finally get a daily sweat-sesh!

Day 7 (7.6): It’s Sunday… and so in true NY fashion I had a lovely Sunday Brunch with some very fabulous ladies in Greenwich Village. It was hot today. I’ve realized that I don’t have summer clothes. I lived in FL and I don’t have summer clothes… how this is possible, I don’t know. I think I over-compensated with the long sleeved shirts and pants thinking NYC was going to be frigid all year round. Either way, I’m in need of some light clothing… I can’t be walking around the city in black leggings and long sleeves. I’m in the market for some fitted graphic Tees. I found some awesome ones on Etsy, but I’m hoping I can find some at the Brooklyn Flea Market next Saturday!

[I haven’t really taken any photos this week — it was a weird one . Next week I’ll be sure to document my adventures more with images.]

Next week I start my new job, begin my 8th week (2 months!!), and hopefully find a place to call home (no more white walls surrounding my bed!).

Until next week, adios!