Happy Birthday girl, Kiki loves and misses you
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Star Resumes
I didn't use to be able to laugh as much as I do now. Finding the humor in everything (including laughing at myself) was acquired over the years through combinations of the people in the my life, and learning the hard way that being able to laugh at yourself is actually far more enjoyable than crying or getting upset. As a result, I love to laugh, and people send me the things they find because they know that I can appreciate it.
So now I introduce to you the content of my favorite latest email. If you're having problems finding a job, it's obviously because your resume isn't up to par with these gems...
Don't you just LOVE these?! How are these people still unemployed?? Just a sign of the times...
If you don't have the time to read these all now, bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you need a 2 minute mental break to laugh. You will not be disappointed!
So now I introduce to you the content of my favorite latest email. If you're having problems finding a job, it's obviously because your resume isn't up to par with these gems...
Don't you just LOVE these?! How are these people still unemployed?? Just a sign of the times...
If you don't have the time to read these all now, bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you need a 2 minute mental break to laugh. You will not be disappointed!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
In The Zen
I get riled up really easily at work. Actually, I guess it's safe to say that I get riled up pretty easily anywhere. I can go off on tangents in a huff and let off steam quickly from a small comment made elsewhere. When it happens at work, I remind myself (aloud, to my coworkers) that I need to "get back in the zen" as I sit slowly on my exercise ball and exhale loudly. Yesterday I felt so stressed and my mind was thinking too much that I wanted to go straight home after work, which I hated because the day was so perfect. When I got off at my stop, I was, as always, in front of Central Park. THAT is The Zen, I figured.
Right there at 103 St I walked into a leafy greenery, down a short trail to a pond. I went immediately down to the edge of a water, found a big rock under a tree, and sat down.
For one hour I smelled the still, mossy pond, listened to the rustling grass, and watched the koi fish occasionally surface to open their slimy rubbery mouths and go under again in a synchronized swim leaving nothing but a small ripple on the surface.
Totally in the zen, in the mini Central Forest.
And because I was harrassed for taking my half-faced emo pictures, here's one with my whole radiating noodle atop my shoulders
The sun was out and the breeze was warm. Being lost under the trees, on my rock at the river felt like a storybook description of a childhood memory. I couldn't get enough of sitting there in the stillness, alone with my thoughts.
Right there at 103 St I walked into a leafy greenery, down a short trail to a pond. I went immediately down to the edge of a water, found a big rock under a tree, and sat down.
For one hour I smelled the still, mossy pond, listened to the rustling grass, and watched the koi fish occasionally surface to open their slimy rubbery mouths and go under again in a synchronized swim leaving nothing but a small ripple on the surface.
Totally in the zen, in the mini Central Forest.
And because I was harrassed for taking my half-faced emo pictures, here's one with my whole radiating noodle atop my shoulders
The sun was out and the breeze was warm. Being lost under the trees, on my rock at the river felt like a storybook description of a childhood memory. I couldn't get enough of sitting there in the stillness, alone with my thoughts.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The United Nations
Yesterday was a beautiful day, and I spent it out and about, visiting Brooklyn, visiting the United Nations, and attending ballet class. AND I finally reached Gold Status with Starbucks! That had long been a goal of mine lolololol
It was a beautiful day, and it was nice to be able to enjoy the city. There's always a different feel on a weekday versus a weekend. This is the fountain at the City Hall garden
Below is not a great picture, it was an afterthought, but it's the United Nations plaza with all the flags stretching an entire block. It's agreat feeling to be there, feeling the work of the nations and desire for peace, I really liked it.
There's a Friends joke around this... if you get it, good for you! Plus, it's fun to say Boutros... Boutros... GHALI
This was in front of the famed stained glass mural on the inside. And me being emo lolololol
I had a sad awakening at ballet when I saw a sign that they are raising the prices. UGH. They're already pretty bad enough. And I thought we were moving past the recession?? It was discouraging to see the class card I get go up over $100. Not to mention I need to invest in more dancewear... having 1 leotard and 1 pair of ballet tights doesn't do you well when you're going 3 days a week, trust me. There are salt stains from the sweat! TMI?
Last night after ballet it was so balmy and warm outside that I walked up to Penn Station from the Village.
Isn't it sucha beautiful view? I've been here over a year and it still gets to me.
It was a beautiful day, and it was nice to be able to enjoy the city. There's always a different feel on a weekday versus a weekend. This is the fountain at the City Hall garden
Below is not a great picture, it was an afterthought, but it's the United Nations plaza with all the flags stretching an entire block. It's agreat feeling to be there, feeling the work of the nations and desire for peace, I really liked it.
There's a Friends joke around this... if you get it, good for you! Plus, it's fun to say Boutros... Boutros... GHALI
This was in front of the famed stained glass mural on the inside. And me being emo lolololol
I had a sad awakening at ballet when I saw a sign that they are raising the prices. UGH. They're already pretty bad enough. And I thought we were moving past the recession?? It was discouraging to see the class card I get go up over $100. Not to mention I need to invest in more dancewear... having 1 leotard and 1 pair of ballet tights doesn't do you well when you're going 3 days a week, trust me. There are salt stains from the sweat! TMI?
Last night after ballet it was so balmy and warm outside that I walked up to Penn Station from the Village.
Isn't it sucha beautiful view? I've been here over a year and it still gets to me.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Connecticut
As part of my staycation, I decided to rent a car and explore the area, and with the daily mileage allotted I was able to make it up to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. It felt SO GREAT to be behind the wheel and drive on the open road and get out of the city a bit. Not to mention, the lush scenery was BEAUTIFUL, and looked like it was out of a calendar, although I could've done without the awful overcast weather.
When I was out of New York enough I exited in a town called Westport to locate a Starbucks (thanks, Starbucks iPhone app!) Here was their very patriotic bridge
This was a beautiful view from the Starbucks
I overshot Yale by a little and ended up in East Haven, but decided to drive around their shoreline area. The neighborhoods and houses with the slatted boards were so adorable, and here's the Atlantic from the public beach
And a beautiful lighthouse I saw. I just sat and looked at the view here, I would've stayed longer but got cut off by the rain
Yale was having some commencements so it was pretty busy, but I was still able to go around. The campus was so beautiful, and the streets around were so lively! I could only imagine the atmosphere on a nice day
Look at these residence halls! They're like castles! Of course, they don't have a view of the ocean like good ol' San Nic at UCSB!
This is called my awkward timer picture where I set it up but then people were walking by so I looked away like I was looking at something, and not posing alone for a picture lolololololol
I drove home leisurely through Connecticut and Westchester, New York, exploring the rivers and neighborhoods on my way home, and got in around 10pm. I was sad to drop the car off, but it feels good to be home. It felt nice to have the escape from the city with me, my music and my thoughts.
When I was out of New York enough I exited in a town called Westport to locate a Starbucks (thanks, Starbucks iPhone app!) Here was their very patriotic bridge
This was a beautiful view from the Starbucks
I overshot Yale by a little and ended up in East Haven, but decided to drive around their shoreline area. The neighborhoods and houses with the slatted boards were so adorable, and here's the Atlantic from the public beach
And a beautiful lighthouse I saw. I just sat and looked at the view here, I would've stayed longer but got cut off by the rain
Yale was having some commencements so it was pretty busy, but I was still able to go around. The campus was so beautiful, and the streets around were so lively! I could only imagine the atmosphere on a nice day
Look at these residence halls! They're like castles! Of course, they don't have a view of the ocean like good ol' San Nic at UCSB!
This is called my awkward timer picture where I set it up but then people were walking by so I looked away like I was looking at something, and not posing alone for a picture lolololololol
I drove home leisurely through Connecticut and Westchester, New York, exploring the rivers and neighborhoods on my way home, and got in around 10pm. I was sad to drop the car off, but it feels good to be home. It felt nice to have the escape from the city with me, my music and my thoughts.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Museums of Modern Art
What a great weekend I'm having... and I'm having a five day weekend! That's right, taking some staycation days here in NYC and they started on Friday. Sleeping in, leisurely breakfast, Zumba routine, and then I left to get to the Museum of Modern Art for the free Friday evenings. It was more or less my first experience with modern art, and took some getting used to, but I was starting to love it. These were my favorite things I saw
In the architecture wing... a tiny model of a home, complete with terrain and trees, sealed in a Mason Dixie jar
In prints and books, there were walls of fonts. This particular one took me back to 4th grade in Ms McCravy's class, when we were studying fairytales and I was doing a report on one called The Golden Feather. Every day in the afternoon we would walk to the computer lab in the portable at the far side of the Upper Grade playground, and type out parts of our reports, and the computers could only really handle this font. What a ways we've come.
The further up the floors I went, the more... traditional the works became. I had no idea I was to be greeted by works of Picasso, Cezanne, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and Monet. I didn't believe I was actually looking at the famed Water Lilies triptych until I read the posted description next to it
And? The crowning glory of all art... Van Gogh has long been my favorite artist since that report I wrote on him in 3rd grade. When I was in Amsterdam, I visited the Van Gogh museum on the first day, but was crushed to learn that Starry Night was not housed there. (Why was I thinking it was at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris?) I turn a corner in MoMA and it's in front of my eyes. It was unbelievable. I had NO IDEA it was here, but there it was.
It was such a surprise, and a wonderful reward to the burly crowds I had been battling that whole afternoon. Another surprise I was thrown was what I like to remember as as the Second MoMA... or the After Hours MoMA. I was in the neighborhood Ronnie works in, so we met up with no agenda. He said he had to stick around in Manhattan for awhile since he had to work an event for his PR company in NoHo. The light went off in his head and he suggested I stay and work it with him, and we would split the profits. And that was how I came to work the front of the nightclub Butter with Ronnie and Red Rush Entertainment.
IT. WAS. SO. MUCH. FUN!! Working the front of the high-end nightclub we got such a great and amusing view of the politics of it all... seeing the doorman charge less or more for the guys or girls coming, the doorman letting in girls with fake IDs when there weren't enough people inside, promoters arguing with the club staff to allow more free bottles at the tables... the works. Ronnie and I had a great time laughing about the people and the outfits coming through, and that's when I realized I was at the Second Museum of Modern Art, with all these crazy New Yorkers over-flattering themselves. (I'm so middle class, aren't I?) Otherwise we made friends with the staff, and got free topshelf drinks to assist us on our shift. We left around 3 a.m. with the easiest $100 I had ever made, and got home around 4 in the morning.
The crazy schedule continues as getting home at 4 a.m. was time to hit the sack and wake up in a few hours for a shower and a great walk to Lincoln Center for a matinee showing of Bridesmaids (loved it!) with Ronnie and Claire, followed by a great brunch of eggs florentine and a bottomless mimosa. I walked home in the beautiful warm weather and took a nap, and find myself still awake at this hour! Sunday will be ballet and church... it feels wrong to be so relaxed!
In the architecture wing... a tiny model of a home, complete with terrain and trees, sealed in a Mason Dixie jar
In prints and books, there were walls of fonts. This particular one took me back to 4th grade in Ms McCravy's class, when we were studying fairytales and I was doing a report on one called The Golden Feather. Every day in the afternoon we would walk to the computer lab in the portable at the far side of the Upper Grade playground, and type out parts of our reports, and the computers could only really handle this font. What a ways we've come.
The further up the floors I went, the more... traditional the works became. I had no idea I was to be greeted by works of Picasso, Cezanne, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and Monet. I didn't believe I was actually looking at the famed Water Lilies triptych until I read the posted description next to it
And? The crowning glory of all art... Van Gogh has long been my favorite artist since that report I wrote on him in 3rd grade. When I was in Amsterdam, I visited the Van Gogh museum on the first day, but was crushed to learn that Starry Night was not housed there. (Why was I thinking it was at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris?) I turn a corner in MoMA and it's in front of my eyes. It was unbelievable. I had NO IDEA it was here, but there it was.
It was such a surprise, and a wonderful reward to the burly crowds I had been battling that whole afternoon. Another surprise I was thrown was what I like to remember as as the Second MoMA... or the After Hours MoMA. I was in the neighborhood Ronnie works in, so we met up with no agenda. He said he had to stick around in Manhattan for awhile since he had to work an event for his PR company in NoHo. The light went off in his head and he suggested I stay and work it with him, and we would split the profits. And that was how I came to work the front of the nightclub Butter with Ronnie and Red Rush Entertainment.
IT. WAS. SO. MUCH. FUN!! Working the front of the high-end nightclub we got such a great and amusing view of the politics of it all... seeing the doorman charge less or more for the guys or girls coming, the doorman letting in girls with fake IDs when there weren't enough people inside, promoters arguing with the club staff to allow more free bottles at the tables... the works. Ronnie and I had a great time laughing about the people and the outfits coming through, and that's when I realized I was at the Second Museum of Modern Art, with all these crazy New Yorkers over-flattering themselves. (I'm so middle class, aren't I?) Otherwise we made friends with the staff, and got free topshelf drinks to assist us on our shift. We left around 3 a.m. with the easiest $100 I had ever made, and got home around 4 in the morning.
The crazy schedule continues as getting home at 4 a.m. was time to hit the sack and wake up in a few hours for a shower and a great walk to Lincoln Center for a matinee showing of Bridesmaids (loved it!) with Ronnie and Claire, followed by a great brunch of eggs florentine and a bottomless mimosa. I walked home in the beautiful warm weather and took a nap, and find myself still awake at this hour! Sunday will be ballet and church... it feels wrong to be so relaxed!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Lost Little Kitty
I made it to the DMV today, and today it wasn't a four letter word, it was just three letters! With everything I needed in tow, I was about the same spot in line, but got through everything (relatively) quickly. When i was second in line, I got incredibly cold feet about getting a New York State Drivers License and instead opted for the New York State ID Card.
Turns out it's illegal to have more than one drivers license from different states, so I would have to surrender my California license. The idea of forfeiting that and letting it go made me feel so alone and lost! The thought of going to California and being a foreigner without a California ID... it was too much for me. I felt like a lost little kitty living in a shelter. I'm sure there's still hoops i could jump through to claim it lost and get a NY State drivers license, but I would also have to re-take the drivers test. In New York City! (And rumor had it back in high school that the Riverside Branch was the toughest.)
Everyone's been talking about this group of people claiming the Judgment Day is this Saturday, May 21. I give no credit to it whatsoever, but the lady at the DMV helping me had lots to say about it.
"You been hearin' about this end of the world stuff on Saturday? Man I tell you this guy already said it in the 80s. The 80s! I was alive. And my kids was alive. And back then I said 'the first flame I see I'm killing my kids', cause I ain't gunna let them suffer. Man it's a good thing no one threw a cigarette out the window, or else I'd still be in jail now." She was CRACKING me up. I think it kinda brightened the whole place up. No one likes the DMV, but it's that general atmosphere that pervades the sullenness, and the laughter seemed to breakthrough to everyone waiting in lines and on seats.
Turns out it's illegal to have more than one drivers license from different states, so I would have to surrender my California license. The idea of forfeiting that and letting it go made me feel so alone and lost! The thought of going to California and being a foreigner without a California ID... it was too much for me. I felt like a lost little kitty living in a shelter. I'm sure there's still hoops i could jump through to claim it lost and get a NY State drivers license, but I would also have to re-take the drivers test. In New York City! (And rumor had it back in high school that the Riverside Branch was the toughest.)
Everyone's been talking about this group of people claiming the Judgment Day is this Saturday, May 21. I give no credit to it whatsoever, but the lady at the DMV helping me had lots to say about it.
"You been hearin' about this end of the world stuff on Saturday? Man I tell you this guy already said it in the 80s. The 80s! I was alive. And my kids was alive. And back then I said 'the first flame I see I'm killing my kids', cause I ain't gunna let them suffer. Man it's a good thing no one threw a cigarette out the window, or else I'd still be in jail now." She was CRACKING me up. I think it kinda brightened the whole place up. No one likes the DMV, but it's that general atmosphere that pervades the sullenness, and the laughter seemed to breakthrough to everyone waiting in lines and on seats.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
DMV is a Four Letter Word
Woke up a planned hour and a half earlier than usual to the perfect storm. Thunder, lightning, the gutters aflow with rivers of rainwater. My feet are soaked before I make it to the subway. The train ride is miserable, and long, filled with miserable people, for a long time. The DMV website says it opens at 8:00 but guess what? It doesn't open until 8:30. Waiting in a rainy, cold line already 20 people deep. After 35 minutes, now safely inside, I pull out my soaking paperwork and realizing... oh yes. I forgot my passport and social security card. So I just leave.
It's never just one trip to the DMV, and even if it's perfect, it will never be perfect. And this was ALL BEFORE 9AM. That's before 6AM YOUR time, all my California cohorts!
It's never just one trip to the DMV, and even if it's perfect, it will never be perfect. And this was ALL BEFORE 9AM. That's before 6AM YOUR time, all my California cohorts!
Monday, May 16, 2011
One. Whole. Year.
Today is my one year anniversary in New York City. A welcoming spring, a sultry summer, a refreshing fall and a snowy winter that probably was the envy of some of the most remote regions of Siberia.
It is truly amazing to me that I have been here for a year now. At what seemed the drop of a hat, I threw my life into laundry baskets, cardboard boxes and my loyal little car, pioneered up the southern inland route of California and settled it into musty corners of my dads garage, while the clothes, toiletries and trinkets deemed elite enough to make the trek across the country with me were pressed into a tightly packed suitcase to accompany me to where I transplanted myself alone and alone, the early morning hours of May 16, 2010.
As the cliches go, the first days of living in the residence seem ages ago, and yet the whirlwind of the year has passed as though it were a month. In this time I have secured a studio apartment, worth my savings account, right arm and leg, firstborn child and a signature in blood. I have wrestled with monthly bills and payments after setting up electricity, internet, Netflix and supporting a little girl in India. I have taken in, and sadly let out, two cats over the course of a hot, humid summer. I've called in and dealt with the super for things as trivial as opening that stupid window, and as meaningful as replacing a faulty light fixture in the bathroom after 3 months of darkness.
I've visited gospel and baptist and non-denominational churches, joined yoga studios, volleyball leagues and ballet classes. I went out on a limb by going to Meet Ups, picnics in Central Park, and day trips to Atlantic City. I've acquired a winter wardrobe that more than doubles anything I knew in the first 23 years of my life, and mastered the art of walking in the snow. I've been on first, and second, and third dates, celebrated holidays with my NYC "family" of my college friends, and brought in the New Year in Brooklyn. I've watched a friends live shows in various locations on several occasions.
Where once I carried a guidebook with me at all times, as well as a printed map of Manhattan sequestered into its namely neighborhoods, I have now memorized specific cross streets of almost all the notable landmarks, know the routes of all the subway trains by name, and understand direction and destinations of subways simply by their colors. I know the best routes to chosen points throughout the five boroughs, and can tell you if that apartment on Craig's List sounds like a good deal or you're getting ripped off.
And despite all of this, can you believe I still feel like I haven't totally experienced New York City?? There's still so much left to do! Museums I haven't seen, the Chelsea Art Galleries I haven't visited, the summer festivals I never made it to.
Many people ask me "How long are you planning on staying in New York?" or "Have you ever thought of moving back to California?" and the truth is... yes, yes I have. Yes, there have been days and nights of loneliness, of poverty, of frustration. Waiting too long to ride a too-crowded subway... scrimping too hard to pay a rent too high. Outwearing old clothes, passing on activities, missing out on California weddings. But while cheaper rent, a higher net income, and closer proximity to the life I always knew sounds like such a calming and familiar remedy, it also immediately seems boring. I guess all that "trying to make it" stuff is part of lure, part of the reward. It all makes sense to throw so much money at rent, if it means I get to live in the Big Apple. Reverting back to homegrown lifestyle, where different things were simpler, where my money would go further... it's just not worth leaving the dynamic, vibrant and addictive city here. At least not yet.
It is truly amazing to me that I have been here for a year now. At what seemed the drop of a hat, I threw my life into laundry baskets, cardboard boxes and my loyal little car, pioneered up the southern inland route of California and settled it into musty corners of my dads garage, while the clothes, toiletries and trinkets deemed elite enough to make the trek across the country with me were pressed into a tightly packed suitcase to accompany me to where I transplanted myself alone and alone, the early morning hours of May 16, 2010.
As the cliches go, the first days of living in the residence seem ages ago, and yet the whirlwind of the year has passed as though it were a month. In this time I have secured a studio apartment, worth my savings account, right arm and leg, firstborn child and a signature in blood. I have wrestled with monthly bills and payments after setting up electricity, internet, Netflix and supporting a little girl in India. I have taken in, and sadly let out, two cats over the course of a hot, humid summer. I've called in and dealt with the super for things as trivial as opening that stupid window, and as meaningful as replacing a faulty light fixture in the bathroom after 3 months of darkness.
I've visited gospel and baptist and non-denominational churches, joined yoga studios, volleyball leagues and ballet classes. I went out on a limb by going to Meet Ups, picnics in Central Park, and day trips to Atlantic City. I've acquired a winter wardrobe that more than doubles anything I knew in the first 23 years of my life, and mastered the art of walking in the snow. I've been on first, and second, and third dates, celebrated holidays with my NYC "family" of my college friends, and brought in the New Year in Brooklyn. I've watched a friends live shows in various locations on several occasions.
Where once I carried a guidebook with me at all times, as well as a printed map of Manhattan sequestered into its namely neighborhoods, I have now memorized specific cross streets of almost all the notable landmarks, know the routes of all the subway trains by name, and understand direction and destinations of subways simply by their colors. I know the best routes to chosen points throughout the five boroughs, and can tell you if that apartment on Craig's List sounds like a good deal or you're getting ripped off.
And despite all of this, can you believe I still feel like I haven't totally experienced New York City?? There's still so much left to do! Museums I haven't seen, the Chelsea Art Galleries I haven't visited, the summer festivals I never made it to.
Many people ask me "How long are you planning on staying in New York?" or "Have you ever thought of moving back to California?" and the truth is... yes, yes I have. Yes, there have been days and nights of loneliness, of poverty, of frustration. Waiting too long to ride a too-crowded subway... scrimping too hard to pay a rent too high. Outwearing old clothes, passing on activities, missing out on California weddings. But while cheaper rent, a higher net income, and closer proximity to the life I always knew sounds like such a calming and familiar remedy, it also immediately seems boring. I guess all that "trying to make it" stuff is part of lure, part of the reward. It all makes sense to throw so much money at rent, if it means I get to live in the Big Apple. Reverting back to homegrown lifestyle, where different things were simpler, where my money would go further... it's just not worth leaving the dynamic, vibrant and addictive city here. At least not yet.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Colors of California
When I was still working in San Diego, one of my bosses from New York was out at our center for awhile. I was wearing a yellow dress and he said "Wow. That is very Californian." I was so confused, and I asked what he meant. He told me "Well it's just so bright and cheery. You don't get loud or bright colors much in New York." I never really thought about it again... until yesterday.
It was warm, and springy and I was supposed to see a Broadway show yesterday, so I dress up a bit. I admit the dress was very bright: fuschias, blues, greens and yellows, and I had a yellow flower in my hair, and a goldenrod knit cardigan. I don't think I had ever gotten so many stares and catcalls and whistles EVER since I'd been in New York!
I was becoming really overly conscious of all the stares EVERYWHERE. And not just weird men, just anyone passing, and I realized that I was the ONLY person wearing such loud colors, I really was a fish out of water. And I didn't even look that good!! My favorite was on the morning walk to the subway: some guy said "Oooh, Happy Birthday." What does that even mean?!
Anyways, after work I met up with Emilie and her friend again. It's been so fun hanging out with her and showing her New York City. She keeps saying that she feels like a little child because she's so giddy and awed by all the buildings and lights, it's adorable.
More ballet tonight, and then meeting up with Emilie afterwards. Such a busy, busy week!!
It was warm, and springy and I was supposed to see a Broadway show yesterday, so I dress up a bit. I admit the dress was very bright: fuschias, blues, greens and yellows, and I had a yellow flower in my hair, and a goldenrod knit cardigan. I don't think I had ever gotten so many stares and catcalls and whistles EVER since I'd been in New York!
I was becoming really overly conscious of all the stares EVERYWHERE. And not just weird men, just anyone passing, and I realized that I was the ONLY person wearing such loud colors, I really was a fish out of water. And I didn't even look that good!! My favorite was on the morning walk to the subway: some guy said "Oooh, Happy Birthday." What does that even mean?!
Anyways, after work I met up with Emilie and her friend again. It's been so fun hanging out with her and showing her New York City. She keeps saying that she feels like a little child because she's so giddy and awed by all the buildings and lights, it's adorable.
More ballet tonight, and then meeting up with Emilie afterwards. Such a busy, busy week!!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there. If I were my mom, I would already be married with like 3 kids already by my age lolololol no offense!
My mother conquered her fears and flew across the Atlantic for this.
And Aunt Patricia who has really been like a mother to me
Last night I went to a free ballet performance of the Joffrey company at Columbia University. It was great, I love going to ballets more than most performances. On the way home, I was walking by a hair salon. A young boy, maybe like 10 years old, was leading his mother out of the salon, who clearly worked there, she still had a round brush and hair scissors in her hand. He had made her cover her eyes, and he was pulling her outside, where I saw a large bouquet of flowers waiting against his bike that he had propped against the brick wall. He was leading her and directing her in Spanish, so literally I couldn't understand what was being said, but I could tell understand what was happening. I slowed my walk but kept glancing back to watch the little boy's excitement with each step, and then when he finally let his mother open her eyes to see the flowers, her big huge smile and excitement, and her arms swinging wide open and them hugging each other. It was so sweet to watch, and I liked it more that I couldn't understand their words because a lot of things don't need them.
My mother conquered her fears and flew across the Atlantic for this.
And Aunt Patricia who has really been like a mother to me
Last night I went to a free ballet performance of the Joffrey company at Columbia University. It was great, I love going to ballets more than most performances. On the way home, I was walking by a hair salon. A young boy, maybe like 10 years old, was leading his mother out of the salon, who clearly worked there, she still had a round brush and hair scissors in her hand. He had made her cover her eyes, and he was pulling her outside, where I saw a large bouquet of flowers waiting against his bike that he had propped against the brick wall. He was leading her and directing her in Spanish, so literally I couldn't understand what was being said, but I could tell understand what was happening. I slowed my walk but kept glancing back to watch the little boy's excitement with each step, and then when he finally let his mother open her eyes to see the flowers, her big huge smile and excitement, and her arms swinging wide open and them hugging each other. It was so sweet to watch, and I liked it more that I couldn't understand their words because a lot of things don't need them.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday Night Fate Defeated
Emilie arrived safely, and from the minute I saw her (which was so surreal!) we were gabbing all night like chatty Cathys, from the subway to my apartment, to dinner at the Metro Diner on Broadway, back home until we fell asleep around 1 in the morning. She left yesterday morning to DC and will be back on Monday. That left me acquiescing to Ronnie's pleas to go see Something Borrowed with him in the evening.
The plan was meet up at Times Square around 7:00, get dinner, and catch the movie at the cinemas on 42nd St. Ronnie had last minute meetings and was late, which left me puttering around Times Square for an hour, reading my book on the red steps, and entertaining myself with Instagram photos on my phone.
When Ronnie arrived we made our way through the mass crowds of tourists that have swelled since the winter, to a cheap Cuban restaurant I had looked up earlier, just to find it closed. That left us zigzagging around the streets until we wandered into Pearl, a small Chinese restaurant on 7th Ave, after which we had to rush to the cinemas, to find two movie theatres across the street from each other, going to the wrong one, then finding the right one sold out. We decided to get a 9:40 showing near Lincoln Center, so took the subway up. When we got there, we found THAT showing was sold out too, and the next (and last) was at 12:20am. We felt that our fate, like Cannoli Island, was always to have our plans pathetically ruined, so we argued and bickered and decided we wouldn't let fate win, and bought tickets to the 12:20am showing, wondering what we would do for the next three hours.
First stop: Caffeine intake at Starbucks. We tried to wander around stores, but they were starting to close. We wandered over to Lincoln Center where the New York City Opera was at intermission. Isn't it such a beautiful picture?
We were bored and starting to fall asleep, with still TWO HOURS until the show started. We were admitting how sleepy we were and then decided it was better to get a refund now and just go home than wait another 2 hours and then fall asleep in the movie. It was so pathetic we were laughing the whole way to the theatre. After we got a refund, we were feeling so dejected over how fate had won again that we went back to the ticket kiosk to at least see if there was anything else we could see so we weren't just going home on a Friday night like losers. Ronnie actually talked me into PROM, that ridiculous middle-school type Disney movie about a bunch of kids getting ready for Prom. I don't know how I ended up giving in.
Inside, we were laughing hysterically and talking so much trash on the movie, than the crazy woman in front of us kept turning around with dirty stares and I swear she was going to tell us to shut up before we got up and moved to the very back of the theatre so we could continue. By the time it was over, it was 12:20, and we were on such a high that we went and bought tickets again to see Something Borrowed for that 12:20 showing. We also laughed and talked throughout that whole thing, but in the end we were SO HAPPY we more than defeated fate and turn a movie refund and 10p bedtime into a 3a double feature!
The plan was meet up at Times Square around 7:00, get dinner, and catch the movie at the cinemas on 42nd St. Ronnie had last minute meetings and was late, which left me puttering around Times Square for an hour, reading my book on the red steps, and entertaining myself with Instagram photos on my phone.
When Ronnie arrived we made our way through the mass crowds of tourists that have swelled since the winter, to a cheap Cuban restaurant I had looked up earlier, just to find it closed. That left us zigzagging around the streets until we wandered into Pearl, a small Chinese restaurant on 7th Ave, after which we had to rush to the cinemas, to find two movie theatres across the street from each other, going to the wrong one, then finding the right one sold out. We decided to get a 9:40 showing near Lincoln Center, so took the subway up. When we got there, we found THAT showing was sold out too, and the next (and last) was at 12:20am. We felt that our fate, like Cannoli Island, was always to have our plans pathetically ruined, so we argued and bickered and decided we wouldn't let fate win, and bought tickets to the 12:20am showing, wondering what we would do for the next three hours.
First stop: Caffeine intake at Starbucks. We tried to wander around stores, but they were starting to close. We wandered over to Lincoln Center where the New York City Opera was at intermission. Isn't it such a beautiful picture?
We were bored and starting to fall asleep, with still TWO HOURS until the show started. We were admitting how sleepy we were and then decided it was better to get a refund now and just go home than wait another 2 hours and then fall asleep in the movie. It was so pathetic we were laughing the whole way to the theatre. After we got a refund, we were feeling so dejected over how fate had won again that we went back to the ticket kiosk to at least see if there was anything else we could see so we weren't just going home on a Friday night like losers. Ronnie actually talked me into PROM, that ridiculous middle-school type Disney movie about a bunch of kids getting ready for Prom. I don't know how I ended up giving in.
Inside, we were laughing hysterically and talking so much trash on the movie, than the crazy woman in front of us kept turning around with dirty stares and I swear she was going to tell us to shut up before we got up and moved to the very back of the theatre so we could continue. By the time it was over, it was 12:20, and we were on such a high that we went and bought tickets again to see Something Borrowed for that 12:20 showing. We also laughed and talked throughout that whole thing, but in the end we were SO HAPPY we more than defeated fate and turn a movie refund and 10p bedtime into a 3a double feature!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Mademoiselles.
While in Bordeaux, I found a great friend in a girl named Emilie. She was from Bordeaux and studied at the university with me. Emilie is arguably the sweetest person I have ever met, extremely helpful, and patient. During my last week in France, Emilie even took me out to a traditional French restaurant for a proper goodbye. We have loosely kept in touch since, and now I am happy to say that Emilie will be coming to New York City... tonight! She will stay with me tonight and leave tomorrow to visit our mutual friend Daniel in Washington D.C. and then come back to the Big Apple.
I'm so excited to welcome Emilie to the United States for her FIRST TIME and repay all the kindness and patience that she showed me while I was in Bordeaux. And I even get to speak French again.
Another story, I found myself on the news! On Tuesday I went walking and ended up at Ground Zero. Because of all the Bin Laden craze, and hyped up security, there were news reporters everywhere.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/03/rep-king-waterboarded-ksm-gave-up-bin-ladens-courier/
I can't seem to link the exact video, but it's for the story called "Rep King Says Waterboarding..." and I'm seriously in like, the last 2 seconds behind that blonde lady, in a hot pink button up shirt with my hair down and sunglasses on! I told you there'd be something good on the news soon
I'm so excited to welcome Emilie to the United States for her FIRST TIME and repay all the kindness and patience that she showed me while I was in Bordeaux. And I even get to speak French again.
Another story, I found myself on the news! On Tuesday I went walking and ended up at Ground Zero. Because of all the Bin Laden craze, and hyped up security, there were news reporters everywhere.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/03/rep-king-waterboarded-ksm-gave-up-bin-ladens-courier/
I can't seem to link the exact video, but it's for the story called "Rep King Says Waterboarding..." and I'm seriously in like, the last 2 seconds behind that blonde lady, in a hot pink button up shirt with my hair down and sunglasses on! I told you there'd be something good on the news soon
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Ronnie had plans to move to New York City way before it was even showing on the radar for me. So when it turned out that I would heading out there even before him, our celebration was to have a breakfast at Tiffany's to celebrate. (Ronnie and I hail Audrey Hepburn as our patron saint of friendship... we first met and talked in the college dorms when Ronnie saw a Breakfast at Tiffany's poster I put up in my room and we bonded over our love for Audrey). So this plan was to be another jewel in our crown of friendship (lololololol).
First night became first summer became never. When I realized that this had never come to fruition, we said we would do it on May 4, Audrey's birthday. At 5pm yesterday, I realized the next day was May 4, and we had to commit if it would ever happen! Ronnie got annoyed, wondering why she couldn't have had dinner at Tiffany's, and saying he'd start following Marilyn Monroe since all she did was sleep and didn't get up early. But we persisted.
Well, the morning was MISERABLE. It was overcast when I left my place, and overcast when I got off on 5th Avenue, but by the time I got to the steps of Tiffany's to wait for Ronnie, it was pouring rain. We went to the atrium at the end of the block and picked up coffee and almond croissants / pain au chocolat (no danishes! sadface) and went back on the steps of Tiffany's to eat. It ended up being fun in the rain!
This is Ronnie's reaction to the rain
This is my window-shopping-Breakfast-at-Tiffany's moment. They vault up all the entrances, so there's like, these 2 window displays available. Lulz.
Ronnie's rebellion to the rain
New York City is still just our playground.
First night became first summer became never. When I realized that this had never come to fruition, we said we would do it on May 4, Audrey's birthday. At 5pm yesterday, I realized the next day was May 4, and we had to commit if it would ever happen! Ronnie got annoyed, wondering why she couldn't have had dinner at Tiffany's, and saying he'd start following Marilyn Monroe since all she did was sleep and didn't get up early. But we persisted.
Well, the morning was MISERABLE. It was overcast when I left my place, and overcast when I got off on 5th Avenue, but by the time I got to the steps of Tiffany's to wait for Ronnie, it was pouring rain. We went to the atrium at the end of the block and picked up coffee and almond croissants / pain au chocolat (no danishes! sadface) and went back on the steps of Tiffany's to eat. It ended up being fun in the rain!
This is Ronnie's reaction to the rain
This is my window-shopping-Breakfast-at-Tiffany's moment. They vault up all the entrances, so there's like, these 2 window displays available. Lulz.
Ronnie's rebellion to the rain
New York City is still just our playground.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Urgent: Tom Petty
A friend of mine once referred to Tom Petty as a "glorified garage band". I see where they're coming from, they're a bit more mellow than some of their crazy counterparts like, I don't know, Humble Pie or Lynyrd Skynyrd, but we don't keep Simon & Garfunkel or The Eagles in the garage because they're mellow. I just lovelovelove Tom Petty.
The day I knew I loved Tom Petty was in high school, and I was at least sixteen because I was driving in my little Susie Saturn, and "Breakdown" came on. I was listening to all classic rock that summer, and I didn't know who sang this. I called Mat immediately, but he didn't pick up so I left a message saying "Tell me who this is" and held the phone up the radio speaker, and then for good measure, I marked the voicemail as urgent. From then on, we always joked that we took matters of Tom Petty urgently.
So where is this coming from? From the fact that I FINALLY watched the movie Almost Famous for the first time last night. Talk about badass! Filmed in my old neck of the woods in San Diego, (looks like North Park, University Heights and Golden Hill) plus all the great music. I'm tempted to go into the music industry so I can just sit on tour with all these great musicians... except they don't exist anymore lolololol. There's no kingdom of great rock anymore, just a mash of electronica autotuned adolescents trying to make it big. Maybe one day it will be revived.
I got up early this morning so I had extra time to absorb Tom Petty for the day ahead
The day I knew I loved Tom Petty was in high school, and I was at least sixteen because I was driving in my little Susie Saturn, and "Breakdown" came on. I was listening to all classic rock that summer, and I didn't know who sang this. I called Mat immediately, but he didn't pick up so I left a message saying "Tell me who this is" and held the phone up the radio speaker, and then for good measure, I marked the voicemail as urgent. From then on, we always joked that we took matters of Tom Petty urgently.
So where is this coming from? From the fact that I FINALLY watched the movie Almost Famous for the first time last night. Talk about badass! Filmed in my old neck of the woods in San Diego, (looks like North Park, University Heights and Golden Hill) plus all the great music. I'm tempted to go into the music industry so I can just sit on tour with all these great musicians... except they don't exist anymore lolololol. There's no kingdom of great rock anymore, just a mash of electronica autotuned adolescents trying to make it big. Maybe one day it will be revived.
I got up early this morning so I had extra time to absorb Tom Petty for the day ahead
Monday, May 2, 2011
What's Good on the News?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't like talking politics on here, even though for all intents and purposes, I could theoretically play that dirtiest of all dirty cards: "this is my soapbox and my own journal and if you don't like it, don't read it", but I don't like that stance. I guess it's pretty obvious where I stand anyways.
The news is all about Osama bin Laden and interestingly enough, I heard about it first from the Facebook newsfeed, and then had to direct myself to CNN and New York Times pages. It does feel like a relief, viewing him as a terrorist, and knowing that no one adhered to him except a highly select and minimal group of radical followers. The most disconcerting thing though, are these barbaric reactions. People climbing on lampposts and spraying champagne, and people screaming "USA!" in the mobs everywhere they were. That just seems... unnecessary. Did we do it, virtually alone? Yes, I guess so. But I thought we did it for the benefit of the world to wipe out terrorism, not to scream and chant our name down the throats of the world. It's just so... utterly gross how prideful we are. Why does his death incite chants of "USA" ? Pride goes before a fall. In the Book of Revelations, regarding the end times, the United States, and the Americas, are never mentioned once. It could be that we will be basically dissolved into nothingness by the time this rolls out. No civilization lasts forever. Just ask the Romans.
This makes me realize why i loved the Royal Wedding so much! It's obliterated out of the news now, but it was cute and aesthetic and fun to follow. I know bin Laden's death is ultimately good news too, but it's got that darkened twist.
Did you know that Times Square broadcasted the Royal Wedding live?! If so, shame on you, because I would have loved to know that and gone there personally!
Buuuuuuuuut I missed it. Oh wellsies! Even London had it set up, and I thought all those Brits had a radar on their forehead which projected it two feet in front of them, lulz.
What's next on the news? Maybe the fact that I need to wash dishes tonight?? Just kidding... i'm selling the movie rights to that, so it will be under wraps until we find the right director
The news is all about Osama bin Laden and interestingly enough, I heard about it first from the Facebook newsfeed, and then had to direct myself to CNN and New York Times pages. It does feel like a relief, viewing him as a terrorist, and knowing that no one adhered to him except a highly select and minimal group of radical followers. The most disconcerting thing though, are these barbaric reactions. People climbing on lampposts and spraying champagne, and people screaming "USA!" in the mobs everywhere they were. That just seems... unnecessary. Did we do it, virtually alone? Yes, I guess so. But I thought we did it for the benefit of the world to wipe out terrorism, not to scream and chant our name down the throats of the world. It's just so... utterly gross how prideful we are. Why does his death incite chants of "USA" ? Pride goes before a fall. In the Book of Revelations, regarding the end times, the United States, and the Americas, are never mentioned once. It could be that we will be basically dissolved into nothingness by the time this rolls out. No civilization lasts forever. Just ask the Romans.
This makes me realize why i loved the Royal Wedding so much! It's obliterated out of the news now, but it was cute and aesthetic and fun to follow. I know bin Laden's death is ultimately good news too, but it's got that darkened twist.
Did you know that Times Square broadcasted the Royal Wedding live?! If so, shame on you, because I would have loved to know that and gone there personally!
Buuuuuuuuut I missed it. Oh wellsies! Even London had it set up, and I thought all those Brits had a radar on their forehead which projected it two feet in front of them, lulz.
What's next on the news? Maybe the fact that I need to wash dishes tonight?? Just kidding... i'm selling the movie rights to that, so it will be under wraps until we find the right director
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Curse of Cannoli Island
Ronnie and I have, for about 2 or 3 months now, been making plans every free weekend, to make a trip to Staten Island to go exploring around the place, get some sun and see the nature of New York City's Last Frontier Borough (called that only by me). We saw a cannoli restaurant on Staten Island featured on the Food Network or something like that, hence the new name. With my new fitness regiment I don't get too many sweets, so the reward of a cannoli has been motivation enough.
Somehow though, something ALWAYS comes in the way, and we STILL have not made it out there. We planned to go yesterday, but of course something came up. I got sick. I feel like I was JUST sick, which was the most perplexing. I left work early on Friday, hot with fever and achey all over, and Jenny walked me to the subway station because I was crying. I came straight home, loaded with pre-emptive medicine I bought earlier in the day, and have slept through the entire weekend. The fever has broken, but I still feel sick and achey and gross. I feel like it's still Friday because all I've done is sleep, with occasional bouts of consciousness to eat or take meds.
It's been really depressing to wake to pretty, sunshiney days outside on the weekend, when I can hear people talking and taxis honking, and I am just tossing and turning in bed. I think the lesson is that I can never make a planned trip to Staten Island, it's just not meant to be. I was going to make mint chutney this weekend too, I already bought all the ingredients...
Somehow though, something ALWAYS comes in the way, and we STILL have not made it out there. We planned to go yesterday, but of course something came up. I got sick. I feel like I was JUST sick, which was the most perplexing. I left work early on Friday, hot with fever and achey all over, and Jenny walked me to the subway station because I was crying. I came straight home, loaded with pre-emptive medicine I bought earlier in the day, and have slept through the entire weekend. The fever has broken, but I still feel sick and achey and gross. I feel like it's still Friday because all I've done is sleep, with occasional bouts of consciousness to eat or take meds.
It's been really depressing to wake to pretty, sunshiney days outside on the weekend, when I can hear people talking and taxis honking, and I am just tossing and turning in bed. I think the lesson is that I can never make a planned trip to Staten Island, it's just not meant to be. I was going to make mint chutney this weekend too, I already bought all the ingredients...
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