March 26 - March 28, 2010
My last weekend in New York City was nothing short of fantastic! Check out my photos on Picassa Web Albums! We went to The Irish Rogue; it's the same bar I went to on my birthday! It was a blast! Remember the boy from St. Patty's Day? Okay, well we've been talking and what not, but I find him odd. He showed up on Friday. Interesting. He always wears a fedora! What the heck?! So, instead of Alex, we refer to him as Fedora. I thought he was a blast on St. Patty's Day, but that could have been due to the liquid that was consumed. Maybe...I'm just saying.
Friday night, on the walk home, I call my grandma. Yes, it was 4 a.m., and people are amazed when I tell them this, but I always call her! Well, Friday was a blast! So, on the way home, I decide that it's cold, so I start running. Yes, running down the street in heels, with two really big bags around my arms. Grandma, "Ashley, what the hell are you running for?" Me, "Because I'm cold!" Hahaha! You had to be there! It's 4 o'clock and I'm running home!
Friday, at Better Homes, was really hard. I hated walking out of Meredith Corporation for the last time. I loved it there, and I really became a part of their family! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the women I worked with. They are brilliant, fun, and great to be around! I can't thank them enough for everything they have done for me. They did tell me if a job opens up, they're calling me! ;) One of my editors "took me shopping" Friday. Which means, she gave me the cutest beach bag and took me shopping in our beauty closet! It was so much fun! She geared me up with products perfect for the Florida sun! I'm going to be one sun-kissed beach babe! ;)
We went to brunch at HK Hell's Kitchen! Oh my gosh! Amazing! I had lobster eggs benedict, that was incredible! Then, the rest of the weekend was spent packing and catching up with friends. Saturday, my apartment is basically empty. No bed, no chair, nothing. What do I sleep on? The hardwood floor. No fun! It was probably the most uncomfortable ever. I got no sleep. My back hurts. And my arm was numb from propping up my head all night.
I was walking around Times Square, and my neighborhood, taking everything in for the last time. When I walked through Times Square, everyday, I started to take it for granted. All of the beautiful lights, humungous billboards, and rush of people. Okay, the rush of people I can easily do without! I went to the restaurant one last time tonight to say good-bye to Kara. I had so much fun! All of us laughed and joked! We are all extremely sarcastic, so you can only imagine! Imagine my blog, times ten! Yea, I know! Funny mayhem!
Sunday, I really cried. Not in front of anyone, so that's an improvement! I almost cried leaving the restaurant, but I held back until I got home. I loved working at the restaurant! For the most part, everyone was fantastic! Give or take a couple of people, but you get that everywhere! ;) I had a lot of great experiences there, saw a TON of awesome people, and made some great friends! How many people can say they saw Dan Marino every Saturday? Or Rodney Harrison? Or Reba McEntire? Or Blake Shelton? Or Dennis Dixon? Or Willie Parker? Or Reverend Al Sharpton? And on and on. Not many people.
When I got to my apartment, to walk out for the last time, I really started to cry. Leaving New York City is a lot harder than I ever imagined it would be. This is the first place, I really made my home. It's been an emotional roller coaster, but was worth every tear, every ounce of sweat, and every wrinkle I created by worrying over nothing! ;) You know in the movies, when people move out and they do flashbacks of the memories? That's what I did. I have done and seen so much the last six months! I've definitely grown as a woman. I figured out what I wanted, but like everyone, am still wondering what else is out there!
I want to thank all of the great people I have met here in the city. Without their help and guidance, I would not be the new person I am today. The person I used to be about two years ago, but better! A happy, organized, controlled, funny, and sassy woman! Being around such independent and driven people has really made me realize my potential, and made me want to strive and reach that potential I just realized I have! As much as New Yorkers have the reputation of being rude and obnoxious, they can be thoughtful and caring as well. Not very often, but the people I associated myself with are the best I could have asked for! I wish them nothing but the best, and I know I will see them soon!
I got a hotel room for tonight, per my father and grandmother's request/concern. Hey, if dad says it's okay, then I'm all over it! ;) I hop in a cab, and let me tell you, my last NYC cab experience was perfect! We're driving and I tell him I need to go to a hotel near JFK. I told him which one and he said okay. Not only did he ask me for the address 400 times, but we also drove around Queens for about 45 minutes trying to find it. All the while, he's beating on the steering wheel, like it's a drum, and turning his hand around the wheel as if he's turning a corner; as he's staring at me through the rearview mirror. I thought, Great! My last night in New York City, and I'm going to get killed. He's not taking me to the hotel. I'm going to end up in an alley. I tell ya' what.
He told me 30 times, I look like his cousin. "She's Indian," he says. Me: "Really? I didn't know Indians had blonde hair." Him: "She doesn't." Me: "Oh, but she looks like me?" Him: "Yes. Her face, her height, her body type." Excuse me, sir. It creeps me out that you are checking me out, "inconspicuously," while you're driving. Can you please focus on the road? I would like to get to Florida in one piece. Then, he asked if I had any siblings. Really? Again, you're a creeper. I'm normally a chatter box, but not with people that are weird. I'm always willing to strike up a convo, but if I feel you're doing it for ulterior motives, forget about it. You don't need to know about my life.
I tell him I have one brother. Him: "How old is he?" Me: "He's 30. He's my older, very protective older brother." I say things like this, like it's going to freakin' matter! Hehe! It's worth a shot! After 45 minutes, he says, "Let me get my GPS." Excuse me, what?? You've basically just shown me all of Queens and we could have avoided the 30-minute detour, but no. Did you forget about your Magellan? Come on, now! I mean, I know I'm good company, but this is ridiculous! ;) Just kidding!
I get to the hotel, which is really nice! I'm on the phone, when all of a sudden, the fire alarms go off. Perfect. Just what I need. Do I fall for it and go outside? No. I'm staying put. It stops after a bit. I figure, I'm close enough to the ground, that if there was a fire, I would just jump out the window! ;)
Note to self: Before you can succeed, you need to realize your potential. When your potential used to be something you questioned, don't. Never question the great things you are able to achieve! When numerous people tell you, you are a great person and worker, believe them! You have so many great people in your life, who have taught you SO much, that your potential just magnified! When you keep hearing, "Does Boca know how lucky they are to have you?" take it in and be thankful that so many people appreciate you and care about you!
Too many people take themselves for granted. Stop! You are fabulous and can do anything you set your mind to! Don't be afraid to take chances! Look at how many chances I've taken! Too many to count! Sometimes, not thinking about something, turns out to be the best decision you've ever made. And sometimes, when you do think about something too much, maybe that's a sign, it's not meant to be. Don't think so much about "What should I do?" or "What do you think is best?" Only you can decide that! If you want to move, move! If you want to go back to school, go back! Nothing is impossible!