Well I am settling into my new home. Sandy and Terry (my landlords) are fantastic. It is nice to have my privacy but it is also nice knowing that if we chose to the three of us can hang out. Sandy and Terry are in Aruba right now so I am on pet duty. Blaze (the cat) and Shana (the beta fish) knock on wood they are both fine. I must say this was good practice for me. I always wanted a dog after finishing school but I realize how unfair to the dog it would be to have an owner like me. I am rarely home. So until I become independently wealthy enough to have a permanent dog walker or some such arrangement, no pets for Paula. :(
This week was busy at work. A couple of later nights. I am now in charge of advising's end of students on internship. I have also been given the responsibility of advertising programing to the students. Which is fun and a bit stressful at times since I work at a design school. You have to really be careful with advertising because if it looks bad the students won't come. I have to be creative because the faculty hate clip art and I am not allowed to use it (truth be told I hate clip art too, but it is easy).
Esther and I saw Pygmalion this week on Broadway. We liked it but we didn't love it. The supporting cast was great. Esther and I both warmed up to the leads after the first couple of scenes. It was much better once Claire Danes lost the cockney accent.
Friday night I met Esther, Michael (her boyfriend), and Mark (our friend) for Turkish food. Esther and I had been there once before but on the weekends there is apparently Belly Dancing. We ended being a very musical table. Michael loves to sing all the time. During dinner we were talking about an Ashford and Simpson concert that Esther and Mark went to last week (I was confused because at first I thought Esther said she and Mark were going to see Ashley Simpson). So Michael started singing songs from the sixties and Mark and I joined in and made a sing a long of it. The funniest moment was when we were talking about camping as children and started busting out into camp songs. Esther informed us that as a child she had asked her mother to send her to French camp so that she could get out of going to outdoors camp. I say that is the way to go.
The rest of this week has been pretty busy with getting somethings for the apartment. I made a trip to the Container Store in the village and yesterday I took the free weekend shuttle to IKEA in New Jersey. My apt is pretty well furnished I just needed a couple of things. I ordered a day bed and a dresser at IKEA. I am going to go back to the container store for some smaller items (they will deliver for a flat rate of $35.00 to Brooklyn, I LOVE the container store). Sandy and Terry gave me a nice square mirror. I am looking for a dressing table or vanity to use with it but have not found one that I love yet. But I think I will postpone on that till the daybed and dresser are up.
Today has been a somewhat lazy day so far. I have been cleaning, doing laundry (thank goodness I remember how, in Manhattan it is easier to send your laundry out but since Sandy and Terry let me use their basement it is more economical to do it my self again), later today I am going to go to Atlantic Antics which is a festival in Brooklyn. I am meeting some friends from work so it should be fun. Then it is a short work week for me as I prepare to head off to Grand Rapids on Thursday for Adam and Elissa's wedding.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Home Sweat Home
So I have moved to my new apartment in Brooklyn. Things are good. It is very cute and sunny. I am starting to unpack and determine what I need, which fortunately is not much. I still miss my clothes and shoes in Ohio. (tear) :( But I will eventually get those as well. I saw a squirrel in the next door neighbours yard today and realized I am not in Manhattan anymore. But the contrast is nice to have.
Work is busy. I went to the Bryant Park magazine store where they sell international design magazines. My supervisor bought a bunch of magazines and we three advisors are taking turns reading them to stay in touch with international fashion. I also am reading a book on the fashion industry. Yes, I have homework. I am also excited because this month for fashion week I got to go to Bryant Park but didn't have any VIP tickets. The school is going to try and get Melissa and I tickets for one of the tent shows in March.
This week was mostly busy with moving stuff. I did have dinner with Esther and her friend Susan. Susan is inviting me to a truck show at her apartment in November. This coming week is very busy with some late meetings, theater, and dinner dates with old and some new friends. I am sure I will fill you in next week. But for now I need to unpack and then I will crash. I need to adjust to living 25-30 minutes from work vs 10 minutes. But I am excited about the reading time I will gain on the good old Q train.
Work is busy. I went to the Bryant Park magazine store where they sell international design magazines. My supervisor bought a bunch of magazines and we three advisors are taking turns reading them to stay in touch with international fashion. I also am reading a book on the fashion industry. Yes, I have homework. I am also excited because this month for fashion week I got to go to Bryant Park but didn't have any VIP tickets. The school is going to try and get Melissa and I tickets for one of the tent shows in March.
This week was mostly busy with moving stuff. I did have dinner with Esther and her friend Susan. Susan is inviting me to a truck show at her apartment in November. This coming week is very busy with some late meetings, theater, and dinner dates with old and some new friends. I am sure I will fill you in next week. But for now I need to unpack and then I will crash. I need to adjust to living 25-30 minutes from work vs 10 minutes. But I am excited about the reading time I will gain on the good old Q train.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Cheat Sheet
I thought I would make a quick cheat sheet for you all on the neighbourhoods in Manhattan, since I mention them in the blog so often. Each neighbourhood has its own characteristics so it is like there are multiple towns on this 26 mile island.
Inwood-Furthest North Area of Manhattan (I have never been) but mostly housing with very few stores or restaurants. It takes a good 30 minutes or so to commute from there to mid-town which is why many people opt for moving to Brooklyn or Queens instead of Inwood (there is more to do in the other boroughs then Inwood)
Washington Heights- Just below Inwood. Spanish Harlem is located in this area. Again mostly housing not much else. Parts of this neighbourhood are rough.
Harlem- Most famously known for the Harlem Renaissance. At one point parts were unsafe to live in. The area is much safer now but the unfortunate thing is it is now expensive to live there so Manhattan has really become a place where only the very wealthy can live and many people living in Harlem are feeling like they are being pushed out of the city.
Morningside Heights-You can often tell what part of town you are in by the numbered streets. Morningside Heights is just west of Harlem and around the W 120s. Columbia University is in this neighbourhood.
Upper West Side-Below Morningside. This is probably the greenest part of the city with Riverside Park and Central Park Defining its borders. It goes from Columbus Circle at 59th street up to about 110 street (that is the length of Central Park). Lincoln Center, Julliard, Fordham, and the American Museum of Natural History are all in this area. This is also where Esther lives.
Upper East Side- Same boundaries as the Upper West number street wise. This area is on the other side of the park and below Harlem. Museum Row featuring the Met and Guggenheim are in this area. This is also the most expensive part of Manhattan to live in.
Midtown West-Below the park the east and west are divided by 5th avenue. Midtown west below 50th street has museums like MoMA and the Paley Center and is also where 30 Rock is.
Midtown East-Mostly shopping. Mostly expensive shopping on 5th and Madison avenues. Esther's office is in Midtown East.
Theater District-Midtown West from 50th street to Times Square at 42nd Street
Garment District-Midtown West from about 40th street to 34th street. This is where my office is.
Hell's Kitchen-The far west side of midtown. A lot of developments are going in because this will be the new trendy neighbourhood soon. The Soup Nazi Kitchen is there for you Seinfeld fans.
Murray Hill-Far end of midtown east. Lots of Boutiques, Cafes, and more housing for the rich and famous of NYC.
Greenwich Village-Below midtown. Mostly independent stores and restaurants. The West Village is a very cute area. The Meatpacking District still has a few meat markets but is the new 'it" area, with nightclubs and shopping. East Village is more low key.
Chelsea- Just North of the village. It is very artsy. Lots of art studios and independent theaters.
The Financial District-Wall Street, City Hall, and the South Street Seaport. This is where the World Trade Center was.
Lower East Side- Safe all be it grungy sort of area. Independent theaters and such. Seedy in a safe neighbourhood. Chinatown and Little Italy are also there.
SoHo-South of Houston street on the west side of the Lower East Side. Expensive stores and lofts.
Battery Park-Southern tip of the island. Not a ton there but that is where you would go to take the ferry to Elis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Hope this is helpful.
Inwood-Furthest North Area of Manhattan (I have never been) but mostly housing with very few stores or restaurants. It takes a good 30 minutes or so to commute from there to mid-town which is why many people opt for moving to Brooklyn or Queens instead of Inwood (there is more to do in the other boroughs then Inwood)
Washington Heights- Just below Inwood. Spanish Harlem is located in this area. Again mostly housing not much else. Parts of this neighbourhood are rough.
Harlem- Most famously known for the Harlem Renaissance. At one point parts were unsafe to live in. The area is much safer now but the unfortunate thing is it is now expensive to live there so Manhattan has really become a place where only the very wealthy can live and many people living in Harlem are feeling like they are being pushed out of the city.
Morningside Heights-You can often tell what part of town you are in by the numbered streets. Morningside Heights is just west of Harlem and around the W 120s. Columbia University is in this neighbourhood.
Upper West Side-Below Morningside. This is probably the greenest part of the city with Riverside Park and Central Park Defining its borders. It goes from Columbus Circle at 59th street up to about 110 street (that is the length of Central Park). Lincoln Center, Julliard, Fordham, and the American Museum of Natural History are all in this area. This is also where Esther lives.
Upper East Side- Same boundaries as the Upper West number street wise. This area is on the other side of the park and below Harlem. Museum Row featuring the Met and Guggenheim are in this area. This is also the most expensive part of Manhattan to live in.
Midtown West-Below the park the east and west are divided by 5th avenue. Midtown west below 50th street has museums like MoMA and the Paley Center and is also where 30 Rock is.
Midtown East-Mostly shopping. Mostly expensive shopping on 5th and Madison avenues. Esther's office is in Midtown East.
Theater District-Midtown West from 50th street to Times Square at 42nd Street
Garment District-Midtown West from about 40th street to 34th street. This is where my office is.
Hell's Kitchen-The far west side of midtown. A lot of developments are going in because this will be the new trendy neighbourhood soon. The Soup Nazi Kitchen is there for you Seinfeld fans.
Murray Hill-Far end of midtown east. Lots of Boutiques, Cafes, and more housing for the rich and famous of NYC.
Greenwich Village-Below midtown. Mostly independent stores and restaurants. The West Village is a very cute area. The Meatpacking District still has a few meat markets but is the new 'it" area, with nightclubs and shopping. East Village is more low key.
Chelsea- Just North of the village. It is very artsy. Lots of art studios and independent theaters.
The Financial District-Wall Street, City Hall, and the South Street Seaport. This is where the World Trade Center was.
Lower East Side- Safe all be it grungy sort of area. Independent theaters and such. Seedy in a safe neighbourhood. Chinatown and Little Italy are also there.
SoHo-South of Houston street on the west side of the Lower East Side. Expensive stores and lofts.
Battery Park-Southern tip of the island. Not a ton there but that is where you would go to take the ferry to Elis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Hope this is helpful.
The Big Move
So Sunday I will finally move to my new home in Brooklyn. I am actually excited. Sandy (one of my new landlords) invited me over this past Sunday to the Flatbush Fair which was held in the neighbourhood that I am moving too. It was very fun. There was music, vendor, wine tasting, wine sorbet (wine seems to be a theme there) , produce, etc. It is nice in someways to live in an area that seems so different from this urban mecca and yet I am only a 15 minute or so subway ride to downtown Manhattan. But it is a very Cleveland Heightish (for those you in Ohio)/a more kept up Heritage Hill (those of you in Michigan). Lots of green space which is nice to see I must say.
In other news work is busy but good. The students keep me busy and on my toes but they are really such a fun group to work with. In addition to working with the students I have also been learning more about the fashion industry. I have been attending some of the students' courses and special events to wrap my head around what it is they are actually doing in their studies. I am also getting ready to go on a "field trip" up fifth and madison avenues to explore the difference in quality in clothing.
Last week I went to Broadway Blessings which is an annual ecumenical prayer for a successful season on Broadway. Actors sing, read prayers, and perform. I was sitting across the aisle from Marian Seldes and Frances Sternhagen who were amazing when they performed. They are both big stars on Broadway. Many of you may know Marian Seldes from the film Mona Lisa Smile (she was the President of the college) or as Mr. Big's mom on Sex and the City. Frances Sternhagen was also in Sex and the City as Bunny, Trey's mother.
Shona Tova! (Happy New Year) Yes I now get both Christian and Jewish holidays off.
This weekend I went to my first sample sales. They have really great deals but get there early or you will be stuck with size 5 shoes or sizes 11 shoes being the only ones left on the racks. :(
I did a little (mostly window shopping). I had tea sandwiches at Bergdoff Goodman's cafe which were quite tasty. Then it was a trip to Takashimaya which is a Japanese, uber expensive department store. I do not (unfortunately...because what they have is cute) by clothing there but they do have a garden tea room and gift hut. It is my new favorite place to buy a host or hostess gift. Esther's friend Mark had invited some friends over for wine and hors d' oeuvres the other week so instead of bringing a bottle of wine I brought these Sesame Crackers that were in the shape of Japanese Dolls and some Hazelnut Buttercookies. Both were big hits. So this weekend I picked up some Ginger Cookies and some Egyptian Chamomile and Black Currant Tea (which Esther and I will sample later this evening). I then went to the other extreme in Asian department stores which is Pearl River Mart in SoHo. It is AMAZING. This store sells traditional Chinese clothing, kitchen and home goods, groceries, cosmetics,and party favors at ridiculously low prices. They have a website but it does not do the store justice. If you are familiar with NYC you will understand why it is so ironic that this store is in SoHo. SoHo which stands for South of Houston street is an area of downtown that is nothing but store after store of expensive designer clothing.
Last night I went to my favorite part of the city which is the West Village. I love it because instead of high rise apartment and office buildings everything is 18th and 19th century brick homes and brownstone townhouses. Christopher Street is this eclectic area full of antique stores, tea and spice shops, and how shall I put it leather stores (by leather I mean riding crops and bondage wear not coats and wallets). Bleeker Street has a few designer stores that have creeped in but is mostly full of independent restaurants and shops. One of my favorite things to do is go to Magnolia bakery and get a cupcake (because they are the most amazing cupcakes ever) and people watch in the Bleeker Street Park. Esther and I met up later in the village and saw the film "I want someone to eat cheese with" it was cute. IFC is a very cool movie theater that plays independent movies, classic movies, and older foreign films.
One of the things I love best about this city is you never know where the day will take you. :)
In other news work is busy but good. The students keep me busy and on my toes but they are really such a fun group to work with. In addition to working with the students I have also been learning more about the fashion industry. I have been attending some of the students' courses and special events to wrap my head around what it is they are actually doing in their studies. I am also getting ready to go on a "field trip" up fifth and madison avenues to explore the difference in quality in clothing.
Last week I went to Broadway Blessings which is an annual ecumenical prayer for a successful season on Broadway. Actors sing, read prayers, and perform. I was sitting across the aisle from Marian Seldes and Frances Sternhagen who were amazing when they performed. They are both big stars on Broadway. Many of you may know Marian Seldes from the film Mona Lisa Smile (she was the President of the college) or as Mr. Big's mom on Sex and the City. Frances Sternhagen was also in Sex and the City as Bunny, Trey's mother.
Shona Tova! (Happy New Year) Yes I now get both Christian and Jewish holidays off.
This weekend I went to my first sample sales. They have really great deals but get there early or you will be stuck with size 5 shoes or sizes 11 shoes being the only ones left on the racks. :(
I did a little (mostly window shopping). I had tea sandwiches at Bergdoff Goodman's cafe which were quite tasty. Then it was a trip to Takashimaya which is a Japanese, uber expensive department store. I do not (unfortunately...because what they have is cute) by clothing there but they do have a garden tea room and gift hut. It is my new favorite place to buy a host or hostess gift. Esther's friend Mark had invited some friends over for wine and hors d' oeuvres the other week so instead of bringing a bottle of wine I brought these Sesame Crackers that were in the shape of Japanese Dolls and some Hazelnut Buttercookies. Both were big hits. So this weekend I picked up some Ginger Cookies and some Egyptian Chamomile and Black Currant Tea (which Esther and I will sample later this evening). I then went to the other extreme in Asian department stores which is Pearl River Mart in SoHo. It is AMAZING. This store sells traditional Chinese clothing, kitchen and home goods, groceries, cosmetics,and party favors at ridiculously low prices. They have a website but it does not do the store justice. If you are familiar with NYC you will understand why it is so ironic that this store is in SoHo. SoHo which stands for South of Houston street is an area of downtown that is nothing but store after store of expensive designer clothing.
Last night I went to my favorite part of the city which is the West Village. I love it because instead of high rise apartment and office buildings everything is 18th and 19th century brick homes and brownstone townhouses. Christopher Street is this eclectic area full of antique stores, tea and spice shops, and how shall I put it leather stores (by leather I mean riding crops and bondage wear not coats and wallets). Bleeker Street has a few designer stores that have creeped in but is mostly full of independent restaurants and shops. One of my favorite things to do is go to Magnolia bakery and get a cupcake (because they are the most amazing cupcakes ever) and people watch in the Bleeker Street Park. Esther and I met up later in the village and saw the film "I want someone to eat cheese with" it was cute. IFC is a very cool movie theater that plays independent movies, classic movies, and older foreign films.
One of the things I love best about this city is you never know where the day will take you. :)
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Weekend Fun
This week was very busy at work. But things are going very well there. In a few weeks once critiques begin in the courses I will observe some of the student's classes. After a busy week it was nice to relax over the weekend and of course explore my new hometown a bit more.
Michael (Esther's) boyfriend is in for a long weekend so to celebrate their anniversary which is tomorrow and to celebrate my first big girl paycheck, I took Michael, Esther, and our friend Linda out for dinner. We went to The LOFT where none of us had ever been before. It was very cool a sort of French/Moroccan Fusion restaurant with two for one martinis all night (how can one complain). It has a large movie screen in the front of the restaurant where they play classic movies (Some Like It Hot was on that evening). The back room where we opted to sit was a little more private. The benches are fitted with Moroccan cushions and global club music played. The basement has lots of private rooms. They do have a really interesting bathroom though. The toilets are separate but the sinks are in a common area.
Since it is Michael and Esther's anniversary and I am still living with her, alternative arrangements needed to be made. Michael usually travels Monday-Thursday so staying in a hotel is not always fun for him since he does it so much. Instead Esther and Michael were generous and sent yours truly to the Lucerne Hotel which is only 17 blocks from Esther's apartment. It is a very lovely hotel which I would recommend to anyone visiting NYC. You are on the Upper West Side so things are not as crazy as they would be if you stayed downtown or near Times Square but it is only a 5-10 minute subway ride to get to those neighbourhoods. There is also a really great French Bistro called Nice Matin attached to the hotel.
Yesterday Esther, Michael, and I ran some errands on the East Side of town. We got Michael's glasses repaired at this really cool designer store on Madison Avenue. It was cool because they have the wall of special customers and Michael's picture is near Steve Martin's. We then went to PINK which is a Men's designer store from the UK. Then it was back to the West Side for lunch at the Museum of Modern Art and the Richard Serra exhibit. Esther's friend Mark met us after lunch and then we ran into their mutual friend Thomas and his boyfriend (whose name I am blanking on). Thomas treated us to Sundays and then it was off to check in to my hotel room. I was going to go see a one act play festival in the East Village since Daniel (one of the playwrights) is an acquaintance of mine but unfortunately it had sold out before I got there (you couldn't buy tickets in advance). So I went to St. Mark's Place which is this stretch of grunge and punk inspired stores and restaurants. This area is essentially the only area of the East Village that has remained true to what the East Village was 20 years ago. Then it was a quick bite back on the Upper West Side before turning in early to watch some tv and read a bit.
Today Esther, Michael, and I went to visit his cousin Sandy and her partner Terry in Brooklyn. They showed me the progress on my apartment (I will either move in next weekend or the weekend after). The five of us had dinner at Sahara, a Middle Eastern restaurant in what will be my new neighbour hood. It was very tasty and I recommend Pistachio Rolls if you have never tried them. Then we looked at the house that is across the street from Sandy and Terry because there was an open house. It is amazing. Why would you spend 1.3 million on a small two bedroom apartment that would cost you an additional 500,000 to renovate when you could get a three floor home that has been newly renovated for the same price (yes that is how much it costs to buy a place in NYC). After that we all parted ways. I went to the Lincoln Center Fall Fair and bought some cute handwarmers that I am wearing now as I type.
So things are good. Aren't you sad I am not there to rub it in that U of M is 0-2 and my OSU is 2-0? I thought you would be. :)
Michael (Esther's) boyfriend is in for a long weekend so to celebrate their anniversary which is tomorrow and to celebrate my first big girl paycheck, I took Michael, Esther, and our friend Linda out for dinner. We went to The LOFT where none of us had ever been before. It was very cool a sort of French/Moroccan Fusion restaurant with two for one martinis all night (how can one complain). It has a large movie screen in the front of the restaurant where they play classic movies (Some Like It Hot was on that evening). The back room where we opted to sit was a little more private. The benches are fitted with Moroccan cushions and global club music played. The basement has lots of private rooms. They do have a really interesting bathroom though. The toilets are separate but the sinks are in a common area.
Since it is Michael and Esther's anniversary and I am still living with her, alternative arrangements needed to be made. Michael usually travels Monday-Thursday so staying in a hotel is not always fun for him since he does it so much. Instead Esther and Michael were generous and sent yours truly to the Lucerne Hotel which is only 17 blocks from Esther's apartment. It is a very lovely hotel which I would recommend to anyone visiting NYC. You are on the Upper West Side so things are not as crazy as they would be if you stayed downtown or near Times Square but it is only a 5-10 minute subway ride to get to those neighbourhoods. There is also a really great French Bistro called Nice Matin attached to the hotel.
Yesterday Esther, Michael, and I ran some errands on the East Side of town. We got Michael's glasses repaired at this really cool designer store on Madison Avenue. It was cool because they have the wall of special customers and Michael's picture is near Steve Martin's. We then went to PINK which is a Men's designer store from the UK. Then it was back to the West Side for lunch at the Museum of Modern Art and the Richard Serra exhibit. Esther's friend Mark met us after lunch and then we ran into their mutual friend Thomas and his boyfriend (whose name I am blanking on). Thomas treated us to Sundays and then it was off to check in to my hotel room. I was going to go see a one act play festival in the East Village since Daniel (one of the playwrights) is an acquaintance of mine but unfortunately it had sold out before I got there (you couldn't buy tickets in advance). So I went to St. Mark's Place which is this stretch of grunge and punk inspired stores and restaurants. This area is essentially the only area of the East Village that has remained true to what the East Village was 20 years ago. Then it was a quick bite back on the Upper West Side before turning in early to watch some tv and read a bit.
Today Esther, Michael, and I went to visit his cousin Sandy and her partner Terry in Brooklyn. They showed me the progress on my apartment (I will either move in next weekend or the weekend after). The five of us had dinner at Sahara, a Middle Eastern restaurant in what will be my new neighbour hood. It was very tasty and I recommend Pistachio Rolls if you have never tried them. Then we looked at the house that is across the street from Sandy and Terry because there was an open house. It is amazing. Why would you spend 1.3 million on a small two bedroom apartment that would cost you an additional 500,000 to renovate when you could get a three floor home that has been newly renovated for the same price (yes that is how much it costs to buy a place in NYC). After that we all parted ways. I went to the Lincoln Center Fall Fair and bought some cute handwarmers that I am wearing now as I type.
So things are good. Aren't you sad I am not there to rub it in that U of M is 0-2 and my OSU is 2-0? I thought you would be. :)
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Number Crunching
Here are some numbers that you may enjoy. I am sure that you can plug them together in some sort of mathematical equation but then I am a much more right brained person....
23= Days I have been in NYC
1= Number of Bus Rides Taken
7= Number of Taxi Rides
50+= Number of Subway Rides
10= How many apartments I have viewed
4 = Pairs of Shoes Purchased since my arrival
12 = Different types of cuisine tried in the past three and a half weeks (Thai, Japanese, Chinese, American, Italian, Brazilian, Delicatessen, French, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Cyprian)
5 = Number of manicures
$10 = Average price of a manicure/neck rub
2 = Number of pedicures
$3.50 = Cost of the Recessional Special at Grey's Papaya (two hot dogs with kraut and a Papaya juice)
2= Number of stamps needed on my Lohemans' shoe club card before I get a pair at 50% off. :)
3= Number of Boroughs I have spent time in
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well the apartment hunt is over at least for a while. As luck would have it Michael's (Esther's boyfriend) cousin Sandy and her partner Terry have been toying with the idea of renting out the third floor of their home and since they know me through Michael, they felt better about having me as their first tenant.
They have a beautiful home in the West Ditmas Park area of Brooklyn. There is a pocket of seven little neighbourhoods that have these beautiful Victorian homes. Many of them are still single family homes but since most of the third floors or basements were originally set up as mother in law suites there are a far share of people in these neighbourhoods that rent an apartment within their homes. I will have my own kitchen, bathroom, setting room, and bedroom. Sandy and Terry are nice and very fun to hang out with. They are wine lovers so I enjoy hearing tales of their travels to Senoma and Italy in search of wine...and of course benefiting from their knowledge on the subject when we go out to dinner. I will move in next Sunday and stay for at least six months and then we shall see.
Esther's friends have all adopted me as their little sister too which has made this an easy move and transition. I am starting to make some friends at work and now that I am feeling more settled I am starting to contact friends from Ohio and Michigan that have moved out here so that is fun too. I do have to confess though that I love the alone time thought. I think people assume that a city like New York would only attract extreme extroverts. But I find this to be one of the best places to live for an Introvert. It is nice being able to get lost for hours in the sidestreets and hidden gems of the city. Every block is like stepping into a new world. It is fun exchanging notes with Esther. She recommends the fun things you won't find in tourist books and I get to share with her the amazing places I find by accident.
Classes start on Tuesday so things are bustling at work. I developed several presentations we used at orientation and they were well received. Everything is good though. I miss those of you not here but I couldn't have made a better decision for myself in terms of a job or location to live and I am so glad that I was picky about the positions I applied for. Every time I go for a walk and find some new book fair, theater, or cultural experience my stomach flips a little. I am really here. Living in my favorite city. It is not just a vacation, this is my home. I am so incredibly happy and as a result I am loosing some of my cynicism towards the world. Don't worry I was plenty cynical to begin with so it is okay to loose some of that edge. ;) The only thing that annoys me is how expensive some things here are but I feel that way about most cities. But no real complaints at the moment.
Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend. :)
-Paula
23= Days I have been in NYC
1= Number of Bus Rides Taken
7= Number of Taxi Rides
50+= Number of Subway Rides
10= How many apartments I have viewed
4 = Pairs of Shoes Purchased since my arrival
12 = Different types of cuisine tried in the past three and a half weeks (Thai, Japanese, Chinese, American, Italian, Brazilian, Delicatessen, French, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Cyprian)
5 = Number of manicures
$10 = Average price of a manicure/neck rub
2 = Number of pedicures
$3.50 = Cost of the Recessional Special at Grey's Papaya (two hot dogs with kraut and a Papaya juice)
2= Number of stamps needed on my Lohemans' shoe club card before I get a pair at 50% off. :)
3= Number of Boroughs I have spent time in
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well the apartment hunt is over at least for a while. As luck would have it Michael's (Esther's boyfriend) cousin Sandy and her partner Terry have been toying with the idea of renting out the third floor of their home and since they know me through Michael, they felt better about having me as their first tenant.
They have a beautiful home in the West Ditmas Park area of Brooklyn. There is a pocket of seven little neighbourhoods that have these beautiful Victorian homes. Many of them are still single family homes but since most of the third floors or basements were originally set up as mother in law suites there are a far share of people in these neighbourhoods that rent an apartment within their homes. I will have my own kitchen, bathroom, setting room, and bedroom. Sandy and Terry are nice and very fun to hang out with. They are wine lovers so I enjoy hearing tales of their travels to Senoma and Italy in search of wine...and of course benefiting from their knowledge on the subject when we go out to dinner. I will move in next Sunday and stay for at least six months and then we shall see.
Esther's friends have all adopted me as their little sister too which has made this an easy move and transition. I am starting to make some friends at work and now that I am feeling more settled I am starting to contact friends from Ohio and Michigan that have moved out here so that is fun too. I do have to confess though that I love the alone time thought. I think people assume that a city like New York would only attract extreme extroverts. But I find this to be one of the best places to live for an Introvert. It is nice being able to get lost for hours in the sidestreets and hidden gems of the city. Every block is like stepping into a new world. It is fun exchanging notes with Esther. She recommends the fun things you won't find in tourist books and I get to share with her the amazing places I find by accident.
Classes start on Tuesday so things are bustling at work. I developed several presentations we used at orientation and they were well received. Everything is good though. I miss those of you not here but I couldn't have made a better decision for myself in terms of a job or location to live and I am so glad that I was picky about the positions I applied for. Every time I go for a walk and find some new book fair, theater, or cultural experience my stomach flips a little. I am really here. Living in my favorite city. It is not just a vacation, this is my home. I am so incredibly happy and as a result I am loosing some of my cynicism towards the world. Don't worry I was plenty cynical to begin with so it is okay to loose some of that edge. ;) The only thing that annoys me is how expensive some things here are but I feel that way about most cities. But no real complaints at the moment.
Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend. :)
-Paula
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)