Day 41

October 17, 2009

Today is quite a busy day for David Yurman jewelry. Although I am constantly busy, the day seems to go by surprisingly slow. These ten hour days of standing and working are getting to me! But I'm not complaining. It is better than Planet Hollywood, selling VISA cards! =)

After work, I'm meeting O'Anna out in Alphabet City. It's a part of the city near the village. I've heard before it's not that safe, so I'm a little leery about going. But, whatever, it will be fine! My only concern is riding the subway late at night, going home, when I'm not that sure where I'm going. Before I meet her out, I have a little time, so I go to a place called The Container Store. This place is amazing! I know I sound like a married, old woman, but this place has anything and everything you can imagine, dealing with storage solutions. All of the shelving is on sale, but you will be proud because I bought nothing! Shocking, I know! I never pass up a good deal, but it's either shelving, or food right now. I need my nutrients! ;)

So, I get to Alphabet City successfully, to a place called Superdive. Despite it's name, it's rather nice. Minues the bathroom that looks and smells like a porta-potty! We get bored there, so we head next door to a hookah bar called Habibi Lounge. Perfect name for a place like this! I have never done hookah before, and I usually try anything once (depending on what it is), so I say why not? It is such a cool place! It's very darkly lit, red walls, black couches and leather stools that sit only a few feet from the ground; loud music and sweet aromas fill the air. Very cozy!

We order the mango hookah, for only five bucks! She comes out with this contraption that looks like a wizard machine, with a magic stick! It's pretty fun. Nothing too exciting because all you do is sit and hand off the magic/clarinet looking stick and take puffs off of it. I'm not a fan of the mango flavor, but the apple martini was rather delicious! ;) O'Anna laughs at me because I ask if they have "Starter Kits" for people like me. She looks at me, like I'm a retard, and simply says, "No. They don't have starter kits."

   

We call it an early night because I have to work tomorrow, so we head home. But first, we go to a place called Ray's Pizza. Apparently, it's suppose to be one of the best places. I like my 99 cent pizza by my house better than this $2.35 pizza! On a Saturday night, you would think the subway will be alive and full of crazy people. Nope. Not tonight. All I get is a man singing with a guitar (typical), a girl named Fanelle jamming on her iPod--the only reason I know her name is because her earrings tell me so; and a chubby man getting stuck in the subway doors. That was funny! I look over and he is literally wedged in between the doors that are not opening up! Poor guy!

Note to self: ALWAYS make sure you have cash on you. In a city where you think modern technology would kick in, and the use of credit/debit cards would be prevalent, is not so true. I have never been to so many places where they take cash only! It's insane and rather annoying. For one who hates to carry cash, I guess I will have to change my ways and always make sure there's a twenty in the wallet for those quick little in-and-outs I have to do.

Day 40

October 16, 2009

Forty days?! Holy cow, I can't believe it! It's a good fortieth day here in New York City! The morning air is brisk and the clouds are hovering over the sun. But it's a great walk to work--it wakes me up and gets me energized for my long day. I meet two other people from Iowa while working for David Yurman. One is from Cedar Rapids, the other from Victor. Small world, huh?

Even smaller, a Yurman shopper that knows the one and only, best department store in the world! She says to her husband, "I saw this necklace at Von Maur."
Me: "I'm sorry. Where did you say you found this?"
Lady: "Von Maur. It's a store in the Midwest."
Me: "That's what I thought you said! I know Von Maur! I'm from Iowa! Is it not the best place ever?! There is no place here like it! It's my all-time favorite!"
Lady: "Oh I know! I love it! 'I love this girl!' (she says to her husband). I know she'll find me something good. I know where she shops and she knows where I shop!"
And the rumors are true, everyone...they do sell Louis Vuitton! So jealous! Although I'm not a huge LV fan, the more I'm around them, the more I am craving one! Not the traditional monogram one--everyone has those! I love to be different! If you're going to spend $2,000+ on a handbag, why do you want the same one as thousands of other people in the world? Check the ones out I would love to have! Petit Noe, Le Majestueux,and Le Radieux. Classic, but detailed.

Besides Mrs. Von Maur, there is another lady who is so much fun! She tells me, "My boyfriend thinks I'm shopping for yogurt." I reply, "Well, this sure is some expensive yogurt!" I work with her for an hour and a half! She is willing to try on everything, so I go wild with it! She tells me my parents should be proud because I'm a great salesperson. Funny thing is, I hate sales! I am one of those people who brush off salespeople in the stores because I do not like to be bothered, nor do I like to be annoyed with stupid questions and unnecessary things. (Such as someone trying to sell another VISA cards. ;) Ha!) I have become what I don't like. Funny how life works out, huh? =)

When she goes to check out, guess how much her bill is? Just think of a number...any number. She has $33,400 worth of jewelry! I think to myself, Holy God! I can't believe I got this lady to buy this much jewelry! But...she was NOT about ready to pay for all that. She cut herself down to only $3,000 worth of jewelry. I did help her with the cut backs. I mean after-all, she did offer me a job! That's right! I talked enough to where we got on the subject of school and work--when I tell her what I'm doing out here, she offers a job and says, I know I'll pay you a hell of a lot more than what you're probably making here. Okay! Sign me up!

So, I pretend to be Dr. Phil tonight when I'm talking to a bestie back home in Iowa. She is having boy problems, so I give her, what I find to be, an excellent analogy. I tell her, men are on a one-way road and if you're not in a straight-shot sight, forget about it. Men don't have peripheral vision, so if you're not about ready to be ran over in his car on this straight-shot road, don't expect him to remember, or take you into consideration on certain issues. It might sound dumb, but I like it! ;) And it's true!

Note to self: Learn patience from those around you. Take lessons from the daughter buying jewelry for her mother. As you listen to her talk to her mom on the phone, take note that although the mom is clinically insane and can't make up her mind, the daughter's voice never once raises, nor does she get an irritated attitude like someone you know. When she says, "Mom, don't get heart palpitations over this; it's only a necklace," just laugh along with her. Realize that even though the daughter wants to reach through the phone and strangle her mom that you're now getting annoyed with, she remains calm and the issue is resolved--it only takes 45 minutes! I don't know about you, but yes, patience is a virtue; however, after 45 minutes, patience starts to become more of a vice. I apologize to the folks ahead of time...I'm learning patience, but things take time! ;)

Day 38

October 14, 2009

Today is a day of new beginnings. I quit my job at Planet Hollywood--I thought I may be sad, but I quickly get over it! ;) I will miss my co-workers, but thanks to Facebook, we can still keep in contact! My editor at Joonbug says I can still write for her at home, while I do a full-time job. It's the best of both worlds!

I work a Sample Sale today and the rest of the week for David Yurman--a high-end jewelry designer. His pieces are amazing! We are the people who take jewelry out of the case for customers to try on. Sounds dumb, but I love it! I'm a fashion major! I have never seen so much bling on a woman's ring finger in my entire life!

I hope one day my wedding ring is the size of a peanut M&M! And I hope I have a $2,000 Louis Vuitton handbag to go along with it! Oh yeah, and the matching wallet! And the Burberry quilted coat! Let's not forget the gorgeous man on my arm with the credit bard! I know, it must be exhausting being these women. I don't know if I could handle it! :)

I have a lady try on a jeweled necklace and she asks how much it is. I say $825. She says, "Oh, that's not bad!" No, not at all. I usually have $825 lying around in my handbag too. I mean...who doesn't? Another lady purchases about $2,000 worth of jewelry. That's just a month's worth of rent. Pocket change is how I like to look at it. I wish my biggest problem in life were choosing between a bracelet with diamonds, or a bracelet without. Decisions, decisions. No one ever said life is easy! :)

I'm trying to get to bed early these days. Now that I actually have things to do before 3 p.m., I need the rest. So, I'm calling it a night. Tomorrow is a long 10-hour day of work! Goodnight!

Note to self: Spending $90 a month for a subway pass may be worth the money. Walking 45 minutes to and from work, in the frigid cold, is not as fun as one would think. When your body is already 30 degrees below the norm, you do not need to expose yourself to more chill! Still play it by ear, but then realize it will probably be worth the investment--frostbite, a runny nose, and man voice is not worth it!