I didn't do anything "cool" this weekend, I was much happier lying in bed and reading my book all day Saturday (even though at one point I was sure I'd develop bed sores if I didn't get up). But today was a little different. I woke up (late...because I stayed up reading Glamour magazine), rushed to the train (in my Wellies) and rode to work. Now, under normal circumstances, I have my nose in a book, but since I finished it this weekend, I was free to take in some sites. I looked out the window and SURPRISE there was the Statue of Liberty. I guess I didn't realize how close I was to it EVERYDAY. Now, I've seen Lady Liberty before and just like all celebrities, she's shorter in real life. Once I reached my stop, I got off and went on to work...like always. Now, I don't know what the deal is, but lately, I've been really nervous when I lead conference calls - lots of "ums" and "uhhs", for no reason. I mean I've been doing this for over a year now, you would think I'd have the hang of it - I guess it's being unfamiliar with the NY team. Anyway, SURPRISE today there was no nervousness! The rest of the day went on as usual (my love for school and office supplies resurged around 3pm when I approached our receptionist...for a 3rd...perhaps 4th time...about a paper clip holder) but when I left work and walked onto 5th ave SURPRISE I smelled someone smoking the wacky 'baccy!!
And I thought the only grass in Manhattan could be found in Central Park...
Monday, May 12, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A Little Survey (Thanks Rach)
I saw this on my friend's blog and had to do it...because Saturday nights in NY are generally tame.
1. What is your occupation? What day of the week is it? Time of day? Account Executive / Saturday / 10:10pm
2. What color are your socks right now? Not wearing any (but the ones on the floor are white ankle socks. I'd say about 90% of my socks are white ankle socks)
3. What are you listening to right now? Some large vehicle on the street driving, stopping, idling, and then driving off. But I do have "Let's Get it On" stuck in my head.
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Trail Mix
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yeah
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Gerald. Actually got off to do this b/c it's much more important.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? We've been friends for over a decade now
8. How old are you today? 25
10. What is your favorite drink? Water or white wine
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Tried to once and it ended in disaster
12. Favorite food? I love sandwiches, steaks, green beans, and baked potatoes
13. What was the last movie you watched? Not sure
14. Favorite day of the year? My birthday and lately I've really enjoyed Easter.
15. How do you vent anger? Yell...
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My sister
17. What is your favorite season? Spring
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Yeah, I hate when my emails go ignored
20. Who is the most likely to respond? To what? Since this is a blog post, I imagine most people will just read and leave it at that.
21. Who is least likely to respond? See #20
22. Living arrangements? Brooklyn. Sharing a very spacious apartment with 2 other young professional ladies.
23. When was the last time you cried? Thursday. I was very frustrated.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Everything. I don't have bars to even hang the clothes on hangers.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Like I said, this is a blog, so it is really going to the entire universe.
26. What did you do last night? Came home, ordered Chinese, read a book, was asleep by 10:30pm
27. Favorite smells? Spring mornings, summer nights in Rockwall, Gerald's cologne(s)
28. What inspires you? When I see love in others, and people's belief in me.
29. What are you most afraid of? Car accidents
30.. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese...duh
31. Favorite dog breed? Dunno. I'm not really into dogs or animals of any sort to be totally honest.
32. Favorite day of the week? Don't really have a favorite, they're all good for something.
33. How many states have you lived in? 2 - Texas and now NEW YORK
34. How many states have you been to? California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana
35. How many countries have you been to? Puerto Rico, Spain, Morocco, Mexico
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Brooklyn Stand Up
I live in Brooklyn. It's very weird to say, that about myself.
As I mentioned, Gerald and I decided to road trip it up here. We left Austin on Friday 5/2 at 7am and arrived in Rockwall where my mom was waiting on us. We unloaded a few things and got back on the road headed east. I fell asleep somewhere between Greenville and Texarkana (I realize that that is a large stretch of land, but I really don't remember), when I woke up we were in Arkansas. Trees...I've never seen so many trees. If I tried to count them I'd run out of numbers. So many in fact, that if God were to have told Abraham that his descendants would compete with the number of trees in Arkansas, I think he would've gotten the picture. So! Up on through Little Rock, and finally hit some bad weather. It's one thing when there's rain, but different when it alters lives. We saw a terrible accident on the opposite side of the highway. I'll tell you one thing, I'm not typically one to "cry" or get "all emotional" or "a little choked up", but this accident was so bad that as a human being one couldn't help but to react. Gerald and I continued on, carefully. Memphis, then Nashville and on to Louisville, KY. We arrived at 3am (east coast time by now - so really 2am) and could not have been more tired. We stayed a friend of Gerald's over night and spent the day with them watching the Kentucky Derby and enjoying the weather. Now, I must make a confession. About 2 years ago I totally talked down on Kentucky. I mean...it's KENTUCKY! What commerce is there? What is the state known for other than horses? I'll tell you what it should be known for...BEING THE MOST GORGEOUS STATE IN THE UNION! I had no idea that Kentucky was so beautiful! I was astonished. I feel like when people dream about America, they see Kentucky. Rolling hills, acres of land, perfectly manicured lawns, and beautiful blue skies. I wanted to stay. I don't know if I'll ever end up there again, but I certainly wouldn't mind. West Virginia on the other hand was another story. Let's put it this way, if I were Virginia, then I'd be glad they seceded from me during the Civil War, not to mention it's the one and ONLY state that's shaped like it has a beer belly. Through Pennsylvania and Maryland with all it's fog. New Jersey was next and finally, New York Sunday morning around 11. FYI I will never, ever, ever, EVER drive another car, truck or van in this city ever again...awful, just awful.
Gerald left on Monday morning after I dropped off our Penske truck. I sat and wept at the counter at the thought of saying good-bye to him. The Penske representative just handed me my receipt.
So far working has been hectic. There are a lot of projects going on right now and so much to do, but I have faith in my team. I know they are capable of even what seems impossible.
My apartment is pretty sweet. New building on a busy street, luckily my window is on the back of the building so I don't really hear anything at all. My room is huge, biggest room I've ever lived in in my entire life, no lie (as soon as I have pics, I will post, but right now it looks a hot tranny mess). There are lots of families in my area. The best part is a bunch of old men that sit outside all day and night and play games on the tables on the shady side of the street.
My new favorite thing to do is sleep with the window open (to feel the cool pre-summer air) and read a book on my chariot a.k.a. the Manhattan/Queens-bound F train - it's interesting being on there, so many characters get on and off. Even the conductor, whom I never see, seems to have a personality. Every morning he says "This is the Manhattan-bound F train. Next stop _________. Stand clear of the closing doors please..." in his thick New York accent. I always think "This man must be narcoleptic because he always sounds like he falls asleep immediately after the last syllable has left his lips" (don't worry, he wakes up in enough time to make the train grind to a halt at the next stop). All of this repeats until I get to 6th Ave and 14th st...I emerge from underground, pass a fruit stand, a bagel stand, Old Navy, a man watering the concrete and Baby Gap. Up 15 stories to T3 NY. This is my new norm.
I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. I really want to rest and do nothing. This move has been so demanding and I really just want a weekend where I do NOTHING. This will be my weekend...maybe I'll hop on the train and ride up and down on the island reading my book.
As I mentioned, Gerald and I decided to road trip it up here. We left Austin on Friday 5/2 at 7am and arrived in Rockwall where my mom was waiting on us. We unloaded a few things and got back on the road headed east. I fell asleep somewhere between Greenville and Texarkana (I realize that that is a large stretch of land, but I really don't remember), when I woke up we were in Arkansas. Trees...I've never seen so many trees. If I tried to count them I'd run out of numbers. So many in fact, that if God were to have told Abraham that his descendants would compete with the number of trees in Arkansas, I think he would've gotten the picture. So! Up on through Little Rock, and finally hit some bad weather. It's one thing when there's rain, but different when it alters lives. We saw a terrible accident on the opposite side of the highway. I'll tell you one thing, I'm not typically one to "cry" or get "all emotional" or "a little choked up", but this accident was so bad that as a human being one couldn't help but to react. Gerald and I continued on, carefully. Memphis, then Nashville and on to Louisville, KY. We arrived at 3am (east coast time by now - so really 2am) and could not have been more tired. We stayed a friend of Gerald's over night and spent the day with them watching the Kentucky Derby and enjoying the weather. Now, I must make a confession. About 2 years ago I totally talked down on Kentucky. I mean...it's KENTUCKY! What commerce is there? What is the state known for other than horses? I'll tell you what it should be known for...BEING THE MOST GORGEOUS STATE IN THE UNION! I had no idea that Kentucky was so beautiful! I was astonished. I feel like when people dream about America, they see Kentucky. Rolling hills, acres of land, perfectly manicured lawns, and beautiful blue skies. I wanted to stay. I don't know if I'll ever end up there again, but I certainly wouldn't mind. West Virginia on the other hand was another story. Let's put it this way, if I were Virginia, then I'd be glad they seceded from me during the Civil War, not to mention it's the one and ONLY state that's shaped like it has a beer belly. Through Pennsylvania and Maryland with all it's fog. New Jersey was next and finally, New York Sunday morning around 11. FYI I will never, ever, ever, EVER drive another car, truck or van in this city ever again...awful, just awful.
Gerald left on Monday morning after I dropped off our Penske truck. I sat and wept at the counter at the thought of saying good-bye to him. The Penske representative just handed me my receipt.
So far working has been hectic. There are a lot of projects going on right now and so much to do, but I have faith in my team. I know they are capable of even what seems impossible.
My apartment is pretty sweet. New building on a busy street, luckily my window is on the back of the building so I don't really hear anything at all. My room is huge, biggest room I've ever lived in in my entire life, no lie (as soon as I have pics, I will post, but right now it looks a hot tranny mess). There are lots of families in my area. The best part is a bunch of old men that sit outside all day and night and play games on the tables on the shady side of the street.
My new favorite thing to do is sleep with the window open (to feel the cool pre-summer air) and read a book on my chariot a.k.a. the Manhattan/Queens-bound F train - it's interesting being on there, so many characters get on and off. Even the conductor, whom I never see, seems to have a personality. Every morning he says "This is the Manhattan-bound F train. Next stop _________. Stand clear of the closing doors please..." in his thick New York accent. I always think "This man must be narcoleptic because he always sounds like he falls asleep immediately after the last syllable has left his lips" (don't worry, he wakes up in enough time to make the train grind to a halt at the next stop). All of this repeats until I get to 6th Ave and 14th st...I emerge from underground, pass a fruit stand, a bagel stand, Old Navy, a man watering the concrete and Baby Gap. Up 15 stories to T3 NY. This is my new norm.
I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. I really want to rest and do nothing. This move has been so demanding and I really just want a weekend where I do NOTHING. This will be my weekend...maybe I'll hop on the train and ride up and down on the island reading my book.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
If You're Gonna Do It...Do It
Allllllright...it's been a few days, but it's been some sort of RIDICULOUS busy! In the past week I've done the following:
- Found an apartment in NYC
- Worked from the T3 office there and successfully (and unsuccessfully) navigated the subway system
- Flown back to Austin
- Hung out with a high school bestie
- Hosted my mom, sister and dad's best friend's youngest daughter (weird chain of relationships, but it's true and she's awesome)
- Sold my car
- Packed a U-Haul truck full of some of my favorite things to go back to Arlington with my family
- Packed the rest of my apartment past the point of recognition
- Cried about 8 times (yeah...unbelievable...I know!)
- Secured my spot in the apartment with my curmudgeon landlord
- Celebrated my 1yr anniversary with Gerald
Anyway, that's a lot for this gal to do in just over a week. I'm super stressed right now and looking forward to just getting NY. People keep asking "Aren't you just so excited" and the answer is NO. I'm not excited, at least not now. The only way I can describe this is like planning a wedding (not that I ever have). Yes, the bride (and groom) are happy they have made the decision to be married and looking forward to the honeymoon and being with each other until death do they part, but honestly, planning the wedding is the most horrific experience ever. So many tiny details that in the long run don't really matter, and all you want is the end result (along with the presents and cake). It's gonna be fun, but honestly, this whole moving part is not my favorite.
Anyway, Gerald has been really amazing through all of this. He has been so helpful, thoughtful and dang near perfect. He has even offered to DRIVE TO BROOKLYN with me. Yes. BROOKLYN. If you ever wondered how far that is, it's about 1,800 miles/1 day and 3 hrs (according to Google Maps) from Austin, Texas. And guess what, I'm just crazy enough to do it with him. It'll be awesome. There really is no one else in the world that I would rather spend the time with. Hopefully we can leave on Friday mid-day to arrive in NY on Sunday afternoon or something. I mean really take a road trip (which I've never truly done). Filling up at crazy gas stations, stopping at state borderlines, MadLibs and arguing about nothing (like whether Ingrid Bergman really wanted to stay with Humphrey Bogart at the end of Casa Blanca). I'm so looking forward to it.
I can hardly contain my excitement. I wish we could leave tonight.
- Found an apartment in NYC
- Worked from the T3 office there and successfully (and unsuccessfully) navigated the subway system
- Flown back to Austin
- Hung out with a high school bestie
- Hosted my mom, sister and dad's best friend's youngest daughter (weird chain of relationships, but it's true and she's awesome)
- Sold my car
- Packed a U-Haul truck full of some of my favorite things to go back to Arlington with my family
- Packed the rest of my apartment past the point of recognition
- Cried about 8 times (yeah...unbelievable...I know!)
- Secured my spot in the apartment with my curmudgeon landlord
- Celebrated my 1yr anniversary with Gerald
Anyway, that's a lot for this gal to do in just over a week. I'm super stressed right now and looking forward to just getting NY. People keep asking "Aren't you just so excited" and the answer is NO. I'm not excited, at least not now. The only way I can describe this is like planning a wedding (not that I ever have). Yes, the bride (and groom) are happy they have made the decision to be married and looking forward to the honeymoon and being with each other until death do they part, but honestly, planning the wedding is the most horrific experience ever. So many tiny details that in the long run don't really matter, and all you want is the end result (along with the presents and cake). It's gonna be fun, but honestly, this whole moving part is not my favorite.
Anyway, Gerald has been really amazing through all of this. He has been so helpful, thoughtful and dang near perfect. He has even offered to DRIVE TO BROOKLYN with me. Yes. BROOKLYN. If you ever wondered how far that is, it's about 1,800 miles/1 day and 3 hrs (according to Google Maps) from Austin, Texas. And guess what, I'm just crazy enough to do it with him. It'll be awesome. There really is no one else in the world that I would rather spend the time with. Hopefully we can leave on Friday mid-day to arrive in NY on Sunday afternoon or something. I mean really take a road trip (which I've never truly done). Filling up at crazy gas stations, stopping at state borderlines, MadLibs and arguing about nothing (like whether Ingrid Bergman really wanted to stay with Humphrey Bogart at the end of Casa Blanca). I'm so looking forward to it.
I can hardly contain my excitement. I wish we could leave tonight.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Hello Again
So, it's been nearly 2 years since I posted on my blog and I'm happy that I could still find it and remember the password! Tonight I'm sitting in a hotel in New York City, listening to music which could only be classified as random (first Amos Lee, then Dixie Chicks, then Alison Krauss and now Alicia Keys). I know that cars are zooming by outside, cabbys are honking and driving recklessly and the city is really alive, but for some reason it feels peaceful and calm in here. I guess that's just my nature (or maybe it's the lighting). I hope I can continue to channel this sense of peace in the next few months, because Lord knows there's going to be turmoil. Right now I've got the TV on and am "watching" coverage of the final moments of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the US. I'm really glad that he's come to the US to show his face to the many Catholics of this nation and has even addressed some tough issues (i.e. sexual abuse in the church and terrorist attacks), but I'm not glad that Dateline has been interrupted so that the good citizens of Tri-State Area can watch a bunch of unknown airport, religious and political officials wander around the tarmac at JFK. I mean really.....
Anywho, I guess I can give a brief update...
Family
Mom and sister live in Dallas. Mom was diagnosed with breast/kidney cancer in November, but she's been a trooper. She has started her chemo treatments and is doing well. The first one was not so great, it left her feeling very sick and she was very frightened to go back, but PRAISE GOD that every treatment since then has gone very smoothly and the symptoms she experienced have not been as bad as the first time. She's a great woman, and I'd be lost without her guidance and support. She definitely the best mom ever...hands down.
My sister is doing well, too. She's in school and loving her new location. She's definitely doing better than she was at Tech and I'm so glad that she has come to a place where she can finally express herself and be herself. It's a beautiful thing and she's a beautiful woman.
Looooove Life
I have a boyfriend. His name is Gerald. We're coming up on being together a year and I can honestly say I've never dated a man quite like Gerald Bowie. He makes me smile so much that my cheeks hurt. He's quite possibly one of the most caring, honest, genuine person I have ever met. I cherish the way he loves me and treats me like I mean the world to him, even when I'm being ridiculous and making strange request or being totally contradictory (like when I say I want to lose weight and then I ask if we can go get ice cream). When I think of him I think of a song by John Legend called "Each Day Gets Better" (his music makes me think of beautiful spring day with the people you love).
Work
Work is going well. I've been promoted! And have agreed to move to the T3 NY office to be 100% on Chase. It's going to be fun. I have your usual apprehensions. I can't possibly expect the office to be the exact same as the Austin office, so I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. I was just getting into the groove of ATX and now I'm moving (I won't call it "uprooting" because my "roots" there didn't go very deep). I enjoyed my time in Austin, now I'm off to NY for the next big adventure. Beyond this being good for my career, I think it will be an excellent life experience; the choice to go was nearly effortless, which makes me really believe that there are going to be some great things done here. I have a lot of confidence in the people that I'm working with and look forward to getting to know the T3 NY team. The only thing is that you spend a lot of time walking...A LOT! I walked around a lot yesterday and today and am totally exhausted and sore. I hobbled to the bathroom just a moment ago which MIGHT be 3 feet away. That's how sore I am...
I'm trying to find an apartment here in the city this week... I know it'll happen b/c that's just how the Jesus I know works, but the waiting and wondering really isn't my favorite.
Anywho, I guess I can give a brief update...
Family
Mom and sister live in Dallas. Mom was diagnosed with breast/kidney cancer in November, but she's been a trooper. She has started her chemo treatments and is doing well. The first one was not so great, it left her feeling very sick and she was very frightened to go back, but PRAISE GOD that every treatment since then has gone very smoothly and the symptoms she experienced have not been as bad as the first time. She's a great woman, and I'd be lost without her guidance and support. She definitely the best mom ever...hands down.
My sister is doing well, too. She's in school and loving her new location. She's definitely doing better than she was at Tech and I'm so glad that she has come to a place where she can finally express herself and be herself. It's a beautiful thing and she's a beautiful woman.
Looooove Life
I have a boyfriend. His name is Gerald. We're coming up on being together a year and I can honestly say I've never dated a man quite like Gerald Bowie. He makes me smile so much that my cheeks hurt. He's quite possibly one of the most caring, honest, genuine person I have ever met. I cherish the way he loves me and treats me like I mean the world to him, even when I'm being ridiculous and making strange request or being totally contradictory (like when I say I want to lose weight and then I ask if we can go get ice cream). When I think of him I think of a song by John Legend called "Each Day Gets Better" (his music makes me think of beautiful spring day with the people you love).
Work
Work is going well. I've been promoted! And have agreed to move to the T3 NY office to be 100% on Chase. It's going to be fun. I have your usual apprehensions. I can't possibly expect the office to be the exact same as the Austin office, so I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. I was just getting into the groove of ATX and now I'm moving (I won't call it "uprooting" because my "roots" there didn't go very deep). I enjoyed my time in Austin, now I'm off to NY for the next big adventure. Beyond this being good for my career, I think it will be an excellent life experience; the choice to go was nearly effortless, which makes me really believe that there are going to be some great things done here. I have a lot of confidence in the people that I'm working with and look forward to getting to know the T3 NY team. The only thing is that you spend a lot of time walking...A LOT! I walked around a lot yesterday and today and am totally exhausted and sore. I hobbled to the bathroom just a moment ago which MIGHT be 3 feet away. That's how sore I am...
I'm trying to find an apartment here in the city this week... I know it'll happen b/c that's just how the Jesus I know works, but the waiting and wondering really isn't my favorite.
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