March 23, 2010
Tuesday = Totally Awesome Day!
It started off with breakfast from Dishes for my editor's. Today was my last day of seeing one of my editors. Yes, I cried. Of course I did! First, it's what I always do. And second, I'm really going to miss working there! The opportunities and experiences they gave me have been priceless. They are such brilliant women, and I have learned so much from them. It has been a true pleasure and blessing to say I've worked for Better Homes & Gardens. I can not thank them enough for everything they have given me, and done for me.
After work, the packing continues. Then, it's off to Harlem! Woot! Woot! Now, please don't take the rest of this story in the wrong way. I'm not trying to sound stereotypical or anything of the sort!
I get on the train and head WAY uptown. The farther we keep going up, the more I realize, I'm the only white person on the train. What I find so interesting is this...New York City is full of millions of people of all different races, classes, and cultures. Yet, it is still really segregated. I get off the train and come up to notice I'm still the only white person. I did see another white man on the train, so I thought...well if something happens, at least I'll have this white guy to save me. Then, I proceeded to think, well shoot; he looks like Where's Waldo. I'm screwed! He's not going to defend me! He'll probably run away faster than I would!
You always hear about shootings outside of hospitals. Well, guess what? The train is right by the hospital. Wonderful! I may get shot. Or I may not get shot, but people are looking at me like, what the hell is this white girl doing in our neighborhood? I felt it. I'm standing on the corner, waiting for Kara, who by the way totally fits in up there. She looks Latina, has the confidence about her. Not me. I couldn't quit pacing. I tried! I really did! But I couldn't help it! I was scared.
While standing on the corner, a little old, black lady was standing there with her shopping cart and hair wrapped in a silk scarf. She seemed nice. So, I say, "Excuse me? Do you know where Miss Maude's is?" Her response, in the rude tone you are playing in your head, "Excuse me?...No." Then she turns around and walks away. Perfect.
While the honking and cat calls continued, two gentlemen came up to the stop light and were talking about watching a movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar. Hahaha! I look at them and start to kind of laugh. I didn't want to laugh too hard because one was as big as he was tall, with scars on his face, and tattoos all over his body. Yes, I did just stereotype and it got thrown back in my face because him and his friend were really nice and helpful.
Me: "Excuse me? Do you know where Miss Maude's is?"
Guy: "What? No."
Me: "Okay, thanks."
Guy's Friend: "What's Miss Maude's?"
Me: I put my hands out to the side, like, duh: "It's a soul food restaurant! Supposedly the best in the city! But now, I'm not so sure."
Guy's Friend: "Well, this is my first time up this way, but it must be some good soul food for YOU to come up this way."
Me: "Haha, yea."
What do you say to that? Yes, clearly sir, I don't live here. What caught that attention? The fact that I'm looking over my shoulder every two seconds? I keep twiddling my hands in and around each other? Or the fact that I keep telling you my friend should be here any minute? Maybe all three. I don't know. =) But in all seriousness, they were really nice!
We get to Miss Maude's and our waiter was so much fun! The interior reminded you of a diner off of "Leave it to Beaver." So cute and so homey! It felt like they took out of Harlem 2010 and put you in Suburbia-ville 1950. I was debating between their famous fried chicken, bbq chicken, and the smothered chicken. So, after Kara and I ordered the fried chicken, with mac 'n cheese, collared greens, and candied yams, he brought us a side of bbq chicken and smothered chicken for free!!!! I can't tell you how good this place is! I'd go back! If anything, just for the terrific service! He didn't even charge me for the homemade iced tea either. And it was interestingly delightful and refreshing! It was sweet tea, but had a minty flavor to it. Sounds weird, but was so tasty!
After dinner, it's off to get a pedicure! As we're walking, I'm practically sweating through my shirt with fear. Before we left, Kara's like, "Oh don't worry. It's fine. It's fine." Then, when we're walking, I say, "Wow, everything is closed already? It's only 9 o'clock." Kara's response: "That's because you don't want to be out this late." Wait a minute, little missy. I thought you said it was safe. No good. Especially for a girl who's afraid of her own shadow!
Along the way, we saw a man laughing hysterically as he hangs out in the middle of the street, while cars are flying by him, honking intensely. Kara said he's on crack. Then we walk by another man who's pointing at cars like he's doing the YMCA dance party moves. "Young man, there's not need to feel down. I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground." You know what I'm talkin' about. Kara said he's on crack, too. Yikes!
We get to Central Harlem and I feel a little more at ease, UNTIL I walk by this one gentlemen who literally stared me down to the point where I felt like I was a mouse looking at an elephant. It may have caused some heart palpitations. When they say, "if looks could kill..." I believe they can.
Kara takes me to her apartment, so I can see where she lives. I love it! It's so homey and comfortable! I would love to live in a place like that! Just not in that neighborhood. We got cat-called again, and this time we were walking down a street where shouting for help would do no good. When I saw that man looking at us and continuing to stare as we walked by, my stomach literally dropped to my feet.
Then we're walking to the train and two men are staggering along. They saw their friends, then they whipped out their cash, yelling that they need to talk to them. Oh, good God! My thought, please just get me out of here! Please just get me out of here! Scared shitless.
We get on the train and head back downtown. Then as we're going along, the train stops. I may start to hyperventilate a tad bit. I always think of those movies where a terrorist stops the train and kills everyone; or another train comes and slams into the side of my train. Lots of thoughts were going through my head! Kara said, "You're really not made to live here." Agreed.
We get a pedicure! Kara'a first one! It was so relaxing and our toes look fabulous! Now, I'm ready for Florida!
Note to self: They always tell you to look over your shoulder; however, when you go to a neighborhood where people feed on your fear, don't look around. Keep to yourself and just keep staring forward. You think you have a tough look on your face, but no one will be fooled by your blonde hair and blue eyes. They know you're sacred. And they can probably smell it all over you!