Day 204 - Day 206

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!

Day 195 Cont.

Oh St. Patty's Day! I love it! After I finished my short blog, I got ready to go out! I wore an outfit, I would typically never wear. But I thought, what the hell?! I'm goin' all out! You know those leggings women are wearing now-a-days, with a top over them? Well, I wore the leggings, but my top wasn't long enough to cover my booty! So, I was rockin'! This sounds really conceded, but everyone has thought this! You know how you look in the mirror and you think to yourself, I look good today! Today was one of those days! Hehe! ;) Check out my pictures on my Google Profile! Under Picassa Web Albums.

I decide to take the train down there and cab it home, considering I estimated my arrival at my apartment to be no earlier than 3 a.m. I'm walking and walking. Then I notice people staring at me. I was really confident when I left, then all of a sudden I felt like a hooker. I didn't look like one, but I got pretty self-conscious. I get really nervous when people look at me. But then I thought, who cares?! Let them stare! So, I held my head high and walked through that train station like I owned it! ;) Because that's something to be proud of...obviously. ;)

All of the St. Patty's Day troopers were already home by the time I went out! Too much green beer, too early in the day! Such a shame! I'm actually quite jealous because I wanted to be out celebrating on such a beautiful day, but I was stuck working! Boo! So, the only obnoxious thing I saw was a rather large women, leaning out of a cab, yelling, "It's St. Patty's Day Mother F***ers! Wheeeewwww!" Classy, I know. She was a prize winner!

I met Kara downtown and we went to the Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District. It's a swanky penthouse bar, where you overlook the city! It's beautiful! When we walked in, all I thought was, Wow, all of the men here are kind of old. Really attractive, but a little old for my liking. When I say old, I mean like my dad's age. Which in all actuality isn't old, but a 46-year-old, dating a 25-year-old? Not so much for me. Then Kara says, this is where the money-hungry women come and snatch up the trendy, older men. I totally saw it! A man from Italy did tell me I was perfect! That was sweet! Too bad he was wobbling all over the elevator. Then proceeds to trip and stumble on the cobblestone street as he exits the building! Hehe! He was ready to party!!

We get to the Kiss 'n Fly and we have VIP seating! Woop! Woop! It pays to know people! Okay, I'm not the one who knew anybody, but my friends are! That's all that matters! Plus, free bottles? Where do I stand?? =) This is such a great dance club! Again, it's an uber-trendy hot spot for richy rich kids and often celebrities. No celebrity sightings last night, unfortunately. But I just acted like I fit right in! It worked!

At one point of the night, I was standing and overlooking the dance club from our seats, just watching people. It was funny! You could totally tell who the male models were--they are so funny! Yea, they're insanely hott, but to talk to them. Forget about it! No personality! Then you had the fist pumpers of the bunch, singing every song at the top of their lungs. Yea, they thought they were studs! Excuse me, steroids, your fo-hawk is higher than my ponytail! And I don't even know if I could fit into your shirt. Did you paint it on?? I will have to say...all of the guys had on exceptionally fantastic denim! A man who wears great jeans gets an A++ in my book! And shoes, of course! Shoes are big for me!

So, we're standing there and this guy comes up to me and asks where some birthday party was. I say, "I don't know." He says, okay and we leave it at that. We part ways for a brief moment, then when I turn back around, I notice him still standing there. He's cute, so I figured, why not? I go up to him and start talking and from then on, he was my dancing partner for the evening! He's as crazy as I am! It was great! We had so much fun! We even did a little ballroom dancing, with a dip at the end, of course! Probably the funnest guy I've ever been dancing with! Him and my friend, Tim from back home. Tim does know his ballroom dancing moves! =) He wants to take me out! Of course I would meet someone right before I move!

My calculations were correct. I walked in my apartment at 3:05 this morning! Wonderful St. Patty's Day! Problem: I was up at 7:45 a.m. to be at work by 9! That was brutal! But it wasn't bad. Well worth it, in my book!

Note to self: When people talk to you, regardless of whether or not you think you ever see them again, pay attention to what they're saying! Because now, here is someone who wants to take you out, and who told you a handful of information and you don't remember any of it! You didn't even remember his name! That's bad! Especially when he remembered everything about you! No good, sister!

Day 195

March 17, 2010

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!! I'm going out tonight in the Meatpacking District!!! Maybe I'll see some famous people! They do tend to hang out down there!! Kiss 'n Fly, here I come!!! I won't be blogging tonight, so I hope enjoyed your day!!!

Note to self: When you're only in town for another week and a half, go nuts!!!! You've worked your little booty off since you've been here!! Not that going nuts hasn't happened, but like grandma says, "Kick up your heels and enjoy your last 11 days in NYC!" You have to listen to your elders!! ;)

Day 189

March 11, 2010

My day started at about 3:00 a.m...I'm guessing. I woke up to use the restroom. I want to tell you that my apartment is full of boxes, sporadically placed throughout my hardwood floor. I take a step and whap! Fall right down! It was one of those falls that drunk people do, too. They wobble a bit, try to get their balance, and then slip, sideways, right onto their tush. The thing is: I wasn't wasted. I swear!

Today was all about work, work, work! Tonight was a relief when I went out to celebrate my friend, Morgan's, birthday! Happy 26th! We met up with a bunch of people at Faces and Names in Midtown. It was super crowded, so after a bit, we met up with some other people at PJ Carney's. It's an Irish Pub. So much fun!

I share a cab ride home with a couple of friends because they live a block from me. As we get out and the cab starts to drive away, I reach into my coat pocket, and realize my phone's not in there. Shit! I literally start running after the cab, screaming. Then, when I approach the yellow car, I start pounding on the windows, trying to ask as nicely as I can if the man can stop. I dive into the back seat and start searching! The cab driver, "Ma'am, what are you doing?" Sorry, Apu! I lost my phone! But I found it! I lost my life for a brief second!

So, at Better Homes today, I was doing some research on our competitors. I came across a couple of quizzes and thought they would be fun to take! I took Martha Stewart's Table Etiquette quiz. Try it! What's your score? Click here!  I did quite well! Not to pat myself on the shoulder, but to say the least, I'm the perfect date! ;) Then, I took a quiz about Valentine's Day. I was so disappointed in myself. For a lover of the red and pink day, I pretty much failed. I'm such a disappointment. Click here! to see your score!

One thing I did find interesting..."10 Ways to Look Better Naked." Here ya' go ladies! The answer to all your problems! I personally like page 7 and page 9. (Don't look at this, mom and dad! Or grandma! Hell no! Let's avoid all awkwardness, please!) Click here! Knowing most of the people reading this blog, I know a choice few of you who will "test" these out. Let me just say, I'm glad I can now help you out with your sex life. You're welcome.

Note to self: "Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the front door forever."

Well, if this isn't the statement of the year! When another situation is presented to you today, what do you do? It's temptation, that's for sure! My opportunity has already knocked, and baby, I opened that door and welcomed it with open arms! =) I'm not letting opportunity slip away. I believe that you know, deep in your heart, what you want and what you think is best. Now, it's up to you to take it upon yourself to make the best decision that fits who you are and what you want. Sometimes, opportunity only knocks once in your life. If it knocks twice, consider yourself lucky. And if you are still an idiot, then you don't deserve any more chances. So, be careful about shrugging things off so easily.

Day 188

March 10, 2010

So, my brother left for Florida today for Spring Break. I'm jealous! My grandma informs me today I only have 19 days until I move! Yikes! I have way too much to do for it to only be 19 days away! And I got NOTHING accomplished today! I thought I would wake up early and get some things done before work. Yeah...no. Then after work, I went out to dinner with my friend, John. He's my friend I met in Iowa when I worked for NBC, during the political caucuses. He's a native New Yorker, so he knows the hot spots!

Tonight, we hang out in my neighborhood! Hell's Kitchen has some great things to offer! We go to dinner at Delta's. It's an awesome Louisiana-style restaurant! The inside reminds you of the French Quarters, with bright lights, wooden floors, and Louisiana-style music! So much fun! It took me back to the time I flew to New Orleans and surprised my brother on his birthday! Let's just say, I had a really good time! ;) Anyways, for dinner, I had traditional barbeque chicken and sweet potato fries! Holy toledo it was good! And I tried this raspberry flavored beer. It was called, "Purple Haze" something or rather. Apparently the same name as a Jamaican-style marijuana. Of course.

Then, we head to Rudy's. It's probably my favorite neighborhood bar. I've taken everyone there! It's the dive bar I was telling you about with the plastic-taped booths, free hot dogs, and ridiculously cheap beer! John bought dinner, so I bought after-dinner drinks. They have in-house ale, so we tried the Rudy's Blondie beer. I'm not a beer person, but it was cheap! And it tasted pretty good! It had a sweet taste to it, so I think that's why I liked it! They play such good music! We didn't take advantage of the hot dogs, but Brett did when he visited, and he said they were pretty good! =)

So, we're talking when I look over and see this man and woman kissing all over each other. No biggie--we are at a bar. But, I want to back up and say that Rudy's is a bar that the average age is probably about 26 to 27 years old. The man was about 80 and his "date" was about my age. They were accompanied by a rather tall, very dark, buff man, wearing cheap, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a leather jacket. Here is our conclusion: the old man is lonely and rich; the woman is a prostitute; and the other gentlemen is her pimp. Classy! I couldn't stop laughing! Nor could I stop watching her as she climbed all over the bar and groped wrinkly grandpa, all while wearing a mini-skirt a four-year-old could wear and black, ankle-strap heels, probably purchased at a sex store!

This is what crossed my mind: I wonder how she can do that with him? And I know it's gross, but ladies...I know you're thinking the same thing, I wonder what it looks like? It can't be appealing! It has to be wrinkly! Then, I threw up in my mouth a little bit! And what's going through your mind right now, is the exact same thing that 's going through mine! Gross.

THEN we discovered that both of our families came over on the Mayflower! What a small world! We're convinced, or at least I am, that we're 759th cousins, or something wild like that! Cool, huh?? I think so!

Note to self: Start your morning off with inspiration and a smile! Check out how I start my mornings! A quote from one of my best friend's, Dyanna, back home! Have a Happy Thursday!

"Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg. Act in accordance with your intentions. Show the world how great you are!"

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. It's commonly said, but are you living each day to the fullest? Life is too short not to! Surround yourself with good people and get living! Each day is a gift and so are great friends!"

I always tell people, "live without regrets." Some of those people don't listen. You know as a child when people would say, "those who need to listen, don't. And those who listen, don't need to." It's the same for adults! Why do you think that is? I feel sorry for those people. Wake up! Life is passing you by! =)

"Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings...we continue to fly...on a broomstick. We're flexible like that." =)

Day 180

March 2, 2010

Today starts off in a bit of a crisis. But we fix it! Work is fabulous today! We clean out the beauty closet! I tell ya' what...I'm going to look young forever! A sad thing did happen at work today. I found out that the front office woman, who I adored, passed away. My heart sank when I saw her picture today that said, "In Memory of Marie." May she rest in peace. She was such a sweet lady!

I had a fantastic evening! We went to Rice to Riches. For those of you who have seen the movie, "Hitch," it's where Eva Mendes and her friend go! It's a rice pudding place! One word: Delish! It's a very modern restaurant that's nestled in between hole-in-the-wall bars and local restaurants. You can't miss it, with the bright lights shining on the dim sidewalks. It's sparsity works well with the simplicity, yet delectable concept of ordering. You chose a flavor of rice pudding, then add from a choice of toppings. I had the cheesecake rice pudding with strawberries. Yum! Kara had french toast, which was amazing! And Jennifer had cappuccino! Ooohhh...oh so good!

We went to see the movie, "The Young Victoria." Oh my goodness, it was fantastic! The costumes were great; the story line was concise, but well written; and the acting was terrific! I recommend it, especially if you are a period-movie person. I love period movies, so it's perfect! My favorite line of the whole movie, Prince Albert says to Queen Victoria, "You are the reason for my existence." Ahh...so perfect! All I ask is that I be the reason for someone's existence. For someone to adore me!

I'm still sick. Ugh. I was talking to my grandma about this. It's hard to get better in this city because you still have to walk everywhere, in the cold. So, unless you have a couple of days off to get better, it takes a little longer to do so. I do have to get to bed, but I feel the need to tell you something.

I have a confession to make. Everyone always tells my family or me who reads my blogs. So, I know pretty much about 90 percent of the people who read them. I love it! Because of your fabulous support, you have given me the encouragement to trek through even my hardest moments. About a month and a half ago, I became curious as to exactly how many people read my blogs a day. So, I signed up to track just this. Cool, huh?? I think so! I get quite a few hits a day! It's exciting and challenging to know who's reading my blogs, based on the city and state, this website helps me track.

Follow me down to Boca, because as much as you enjoy reading my blogs, I enjoy writing for you! I promise you the craziness, ups and downs, and exciting adventures will continue! This time, I will be surrounded by beaches, ocean, palm trees, and beautiful, tan, muscular men! Oh la la! You can only imagine the trouble I'm about to get into! ;)

Note to self: Never paint your fingernails blue. Sure, the color looks fabulous in the bottle, and would probably be cute on your toes. But as much as you love the 80s, try to refrain from bringing back certain parts of it. The music: always amazing! The clothes: shoot...you can't beat it! The hair: please. I'm the queen of the side pony! But the color blue. Don't use it on your eyes, lips, especially nails! You're 25 years old, and you are the person on the train people may or may not be looking at. Just like how you look at the 65-year-old woman, wearing spandex, red lipstick, and WAY too much Aquanet. Don't be the old hooker that everyone says needs to act her age! ;)

Day 153

February 3, 2010

What can I say about yesterday? My life was a cluster...to say the least. My morning didn't really go as I had hoped and pretty much ruined my day. But I don't really want to talk about it. I get to the restaurant and we are swamped! It's great because it makes time go by really fast! I get out of there by 8, then meet my friends out for dinner!

It's still restaurant week! Yay! Kara, Brian, Greg, and I go to Osteria del Circo. It's a fun place! It's decor is circus-esque, with reds and blues as the overall theme. We decide we're going to start a band. Brian can play the guitar; I can tickle the ivories; Kara's going to sing and dance; and Greg is going to be our "P Diddy" producer! ;) We have it all worked out! Just wait, America! We're going to be the next "it" thing! ;)

On the way home, my cab driver was listening to Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful." Hahaha! I thought it was funny because he could barely speak english, yet he was listening to this song about self-esteem!

Note to self: Practice makes perfect. Don't go into something un-prepared. Even though you think you're prepared, you're not. There's always something that can go wrong, and if you have my luck, it will. Make sure before you go somewhere important, you cross your T's and dot your I's. Trust me, it will help you!

Day 149

January 30, 2010

During the day is nothing. I lay around, clean my apartment (which looks great, by the way), and get some other things done. Going downtown is on the agenda for later. So, once 7:30 hits, it's time to start getting ready.

I meet Kara at the restaurant and we head to the lower east side. We start to go to Asian Pub--a great place, that is Kara's "spot," and the go-to place. It's a private party, so we leave. Off to Swift. This bar is way cool, but if you get there too late, it's too crowded to move. So, we do a quick run through, then take off. To our last spot of the evening--Blue & Gold. We walk in and get two seats at the bar! Lucky us! AND, it's prime seating for the upcoming events.

Event One: "Excuse me, do you girls go to NYU?" says two guys in somewhat of a sarcastic tone. My response in just as much of a sarcastic tone, "Why do you ask? Do we look like NYU college girls?" I'm always stereotyped around here. His response, "Well, this just seems like it turns into a college bar." Nice cover up, jacko! Kara says something to him and I say, "Well, hey, if I look young enough to be back in college, sure, I go to NYU! But I actually graduated college already." They were weird. Go figure.

Then, a way drunk Englishman came in and stood right next to Kara, asking for a Pabst and a shot. He couldn't even walk. The bartender says no, over and over. He keeps leaning over the bar/semi-leaning over onto Kara. We both have to get up out of our seats because this gent can't keep his posture standing straight. Idiot. The bouncer comes and has to physically pick him up and throw him out. Then! He stands outside and still argues with the man! I hate fighting, so I was getting really nervous he was going to get punched in the face! All I could think about was, oh my God, it's so cold outside and if he gets hit, it's going to hurt so bad!

Then! There are three guys standing behind me, when one "bumps" into me. Come on now. We're all in our mid-20s. We don't need to play this game. I obviously turn around and the guy says, "Oh sorry, my friend bumped into me." I say sarcastically smiling, "Oh yeah? I think you're using the girly little game of, oh sorry, my friend's being dumb and pushed me into you." As I jokingly bump into him. "Whatever happened to approaching me and saying, 'Hi, how are you?'" The guys just stared at me. I'm sorry, but if you're immature enough to do something like this, then I'm not going to talk to you and expect a mature conversation to come out of this. Then Kara's boyfriend and two of his friends show up. Salvation! We grab a table and enjoy the rest of our evening.

Note to self: Don't ever call another guy by the name of a kid you once dated. When you see the bartender at the restaurant you work at, don't say, "Hey Alex!" Instead, you should probably say, "Hey Mike!" since that's his name. Even though the guy looks like the guy, you should probably focus a little more, and be mindful of the fact that it's not okay to do this. Especially, when this guy has asked you to hang out.

Day 147 - Day 148

January 28 - January 29, 2010

Thursday: Another crazy day! I left my house at 8 a.m. and returned at 1:15 a.m. The two cups of coffee I chugged this morning, helped me get through the day. So, restaurant week night was amazing!!!! We went to a restaurant called, Aquavit. It's in Midtown on the east side of town. So much fun! We ate a three-course meal! We talked! We laughed! Great night! The ambience is really great! It's simplistic in architecture, with clean and crisp lines. Very minimal in color, but warm and comforting. The food is delicious and the service, fantastic!

Great girls night out! Every week, Kara, Jen and I go out! It was a very Sex & the City-esque evening. They are the best! Jen is Asian who gets drunk after taking two sips of red wine--she's so fun! Kara is down out hysterical--so much fun and full of such great personality! I'm on the quieter side...until you get to know me! Then watch out! I know how to have a good time! All-in-all, we work well together! If I could put Sex & the City characters to us, I would say Jen is Charlotte; Kara is definitely Samantha; and I would be Carrie.

Did you know your taste palette changes every once in a while? I didn't know that--I think it's interesting! I never liked artichokes, but tonight, I had an artichoke, cream-based soup and I loved it! However, I can for sure tell you, I will NEVER like mushrooms! It's fungus--I can't do it. They taste like the bottom of a shoe.

Friday: I was pretty much in la-la land all day. I am so tired from working 13 hour days the last few days, I pretty much just exist. I basically just go through the motions; nothing phases me; and I don't really think about anything, except my pillow and warm apartment. I have to go to the restaurant tonight to request off a weekend in April for Maddie's bachelorette party. Oh, I can't wait! We're going to Kansas City! They have this fantastic 80's-themed bar, called Shark Bar, I think...but it's so much fun!

When I get home, I talk to my dad for a while, then I fall asleep. I wake up and jump on the Internet and stumble across a couple of songs--ironic, really. It's so weird how songs pertain to life, basically to a T. You know what I'm talking about. You hear a song and instantly, you can relate in some way. Let me explain.

New York City is full of millions of people, but it can be lonely at the same time. Over the summer, my first love and I broke up. Since he was my first real love, I was devastated. Naturally. But I actually did really good about getting over it. Until I moved out here. I've explained the dating scene here--drinks, sex, rinse, and repeat, is the basic pattern for most people. I'm not most people. So, since moving here, I've actually had time to sit and think about that relationship for once. I can honestly say, I've never been so skitzo in my whole entire life! Ha! It's crazy what love does to ya'! But I suppose that's how it goes. If not, then I'm just plain nuts! ;) But check out these two songs.

Letting Go. I forgot about this song! It's too perfect!
Someday. Just randomly showed up on my computer tonight.


Weird, huh? Check this out. Ha! True statement. Sucker! He's the one missing out! ;) I may not be the most exciting person in the world, but I can tell you, I am pretty darn entertaining sometimes!

I have done nothing tonight, but sleep and write this blog. I'm so exhausted, so I'm going back to bed. Goodnight, all! ;)

Note to self: Enjoy a good laugh! Video. I can't remember if I've posted this already, but it is so dang funny! This will be something my future kid would do. I'm hoping he's like this next kid! This kid is a baller! Video.

Day 134 - Day 136

January 15, 2010 - January 17, 2010

I wake up Friday and decide it's time to re-organize my apartment. This feeling doesn't come by very often, so when it does, I jump on it! My apartment is so organized, I'm insanely impressed with myself. Everything is in bins and bags, labeled, and put away nicely! I'm so proud of my OCD with organization! Since I don't have cable, TBS is my best friend today! I catch up on the shows The King of Queens (my favorite), Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, Seinfeild, and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air! It's fantastic! I made it a completely indiot-filled television day!

I meet a friend to see the movie, "It's Complicated." So cute! It's hysterical! I really enjoyed it! And there are so many cute movies coming out- "The Bounty Hunter," "Dear John," "Valentine's Day," "Spartacus," etc. Awesome flicks! On my way to the theatre, I head to Duane Reade to pick up some candy and a Diet Coke--I refuse to pay $10 for a bag of candy! On the way, I walk by two guys, and one says, "Dannnnnggggg giiiirrrlllll...you look like ketchup!" Excuse me...what?! Ketchup?!? Really? What the heck does this mean?? Another guy I used to work with says, "At least he didn't say you look like pickle relish!" LOL! He makes a good point! ;) I tell ya', I've heard some pretty good pick up lines in my day, but this has to be towards the top! Ketchup! Yum! Maybe it means I look tasty! Ohh la la! Hehe, gross!

After the movie we head to The Snug for Happy Hour! Yes, their Happy Hour is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.! It's awesome! Four bucks for a martini! It's a hole in the wall place, but it's so much fun! We then venture to a cheap pizza place, where I get what New Yorkers like to call, "white pie." It's loaded with three different kinds of cheeses. Sounds amazing? It is. However, I often forget that I am lactose intolerant, so it makes me a little sick. Yeah, yeah...lactose intolerant is funny, I know. But it's no fun, let me tell ya'!

We then head to Latitude--it's a bar in Hell's Kitchen, where we meet up with friends from Planet Hollywood! It's so great to see everyone! Once we realize it's 4 a.m., we all head home. I'm walking home with three other guys from work, and once they realize that I'm the only female walking down the streets, they decide it's not a good idea I walk home alone. Especially since I'm with three other guys, and other men are still cat-calling me, saying things like, "Hey baby, everything will be okay." No, it's not going to be okay! I want to wake up and see tomorrow! So, one walks me home! So nice of him!

Once I get in my building, guess who's working? The doorman I asked on a date the Friday before that. We don't mention it. But I do talk to him for about twenty minutes! He 's a chef! He just works here temporarily! How cool is that?!?! A man that can cook? Sign me up! Good-looking = check! Good cook = check! Good personality = check! I've got all of the necessary qualities covered! ;) Another guy walks in and starts talking to the doorman. (I keep calling him doorman because I honestly don't know his name. I know that's bad! I'm awful with names!) Anyways, I say goodnight and the one guys says, "Oh I'm sorry, keep talking. I'm going to bed." I say, "Oh it's okay!" He says something and I respond with, "Oh, well are you going to go to bed?" (as I motion my arms to the elevator). He says, laughing, "Well, sure, if I'm going with you!" Yikes! That's not what I meant! He looks like a black Krusty the Klown from the Simpsons!

So, at 5 a.m., I finally get to bed. Not with Krusty! I wake up on Saturday and head to IKEA! I love that place! It's probably the best home furnishings store ever invented! And it's in Brooklyn. It's my first time going by myself there! I love it! It's so homey! I could live in Brooklyn! I get to IKEA and just have a hay day! I'm buying things for my best friends wedding shower in March! She's from Des Moines and since we don't have IKEA there, I decide to get her a few things. As I'm walking around, they have the neatest little trinkets! I realize that I'm talking out loud to myself as I'm looking at things. "What the heck is this?" "What do you think you use this for?" "This is cool!" Yeah, I wondered why people were staring at me. ;) So, I come across this trinket called a "skimmer." It looks cool and it's on sale for 99 cents! So, I buy a couple! I figure I can use it sometime while I pretend I'm Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee! ;) Another thing I'm fascinated with...mini-stainless steel bowls! Only two inches tall! How funny is that?!

I realized while I'm on the subway, how much it reminds me of the ride Space Mountain at Disney World! You know on Space Mountain, how it's dark, makes funny noises, and you're constantly ducking for fear your head might get chopped off? The subway is somewhat similar. You go through dark tunnels, the lights randomly turn on and off while you're riding, and you're somewhat nervous you may die!

While sitting on the subway, there is a really cute Englishman. I know, me and Englishman...it's meant to be! He's tall, slender, blonde, wearing glasses, with jeans, a button down shirt, blazer, and Converse. I know what you're thinking...he sounds gay. My luck...he probably is! I do tend to attract the men that are sexually confused--hence, a guy I once dated in Chicago, who turned out to be gay. But that's a whole other story! I keep checking him out and think I'm being conspicuous because he hasn't noticed yet. Another gentlemen, sitting close to this guy keeps looking at me. I keep thinking, why is this old man staring at me? I will tell you. The guy I keep checking out...turns out to be his son! After the blonde, British babe, says something along the lines of, Dad, we're getting off at the next stop, I sink into the bench and want to die! I just got caught on dad-radar, checking out your rather attractive offspring!

Sunday, it rains all day and the wind is ferociously blowing. I get a really nice umbrella for Christmas--it's a necessity in this city. I laugh to myself, at other people, who are carrying cheap umbrellas, like I used to. I'm thinking, haha suckers! Wish you had one of my umbrellas! Well...karma sucks! As I'm walking home from work, I'm talking on the phone and a HUGE gust of wind comes, turning my umbrella inside out, and pulling me down the sidewalk! I'm saying, "Oh my God! Oh my God, Maddie! My umbrella is out of control!" People are laughing at me as I'm trying to get this monstrosity of an umbrella turned right side out! I continue to walk home, and am now talking to my mother. Again, the umbrella pulls it's rather un-humorous stunt. I just close the umbrella and walk home in the rain! I'm not even dealing with the thing anymore. I can't see walking down the street because my glasses are covered with water drops--I need windshield wipers for them, my hair is wet, and my clothes are soaked. Whatever!

Note to self: Don't back down against other city-goers who are vicious with their umbrellas! Why do you have to be the one to always move? Stand your ground! Even though you poke pretty much every person that walks by you with your huge ran catcher, don't feel bad! They deserve the love tap...it's your kind, Midwestern way of saying, Move it or lose it jack-o!

Day 127 - Day 129

January 8 - January 10, 2010

This weekend I don't have to work at The Capital Grille! As much as I love working the weekends, it's nice to have it off! Friday, I don't leave my bed all day! First off...I still feel like crap with this stupid cold. So, since I'm going out with the girls, I take cold medicine and sleep it off! It's so nice to not have to worry about doing anything! First time I have a day like this in a while!

I get up and around to getting ready to meet up with Kara and Jen! I meet Kara at her boyfriend's apartment on the Lower East Side. Such a great place...I'm looking to move down there! It's the place to be! As we leave her apartment, we have to walk by the train station. Guess what? It's on fire! I literally just got off that train ten minutes before that! What's up with me and fires? I need to start carrying an extinguisher with me! =) There were fire trucks on all four sides of the street, while smoke is coming up through the sewers. Yikes! Funny thing: I wasn't going to leave my apartment early, but decided to just so I wasn't late! Good choice on my part!

We go to Caracas Arepa Bar- Venezuelan food! So good! After eating, Jen thinks it's a good idea to go The Continental. They have cheap drinks. Here's something I didn't know! Asians are allergic to alcohol! Problem: Jen is Asian.

After a drink, we head to Asian Pub-Kara'a favorite spot in the city. We get chips and salsa, and I think it's a good idea that I start learning how to use chopsticks! So...we're eating chips and salsa with chopsticks. Ha! Not an easy task. Salsa is going everywhere and chips are breaking left and right! I decide to take some chop sticks home with me to try in the future! Why I need twelve sets of chopsticks, I don't know!

And when I get home, I ask my doorman on a date for next Friday! Really, Ashley? What the heck? He says yes. He's super cute and has a great accent! Ah geeze. That's all I have to say.

Saturday: I don't leave my bed all day. It's a night in of movies, reading, and relaxing.

I talk to my friend, Greg tonight. He's having a bit of a rough time lately. Ladies, he's single, fabulous, and ready to take you out! Forget Match.com, just look at his photo and give him a jingle! He will treat you like a princess! I promise you! He's smart, funny, respectable (which how often do you find this?), and thoughtful! He's the type of guy who actually puts effort into the relationship. (Again...how often do you find this? Not often!) Take advantage! ;) His number: 801-455-3629. Hehe! Good luck, Greg! ;)

I get to work Sunday, and then leave four hours later. Not a busy night at The Capital Grille. So, now off to my humble abode to finish Eclipse! I'm on the last chapter! Okay, so I'm in love with Jacob! And I'm in love with Edward! I would want them both, too! There's nothing wrong with sharing. I mean, that's what we're taught to do since we learned how to talk and walk, right? ;) JK! I think I'm leaning more towards Team Jacob now! Ugh...so confusing! And I can't believe I'm 25 years old, thinking about this! Hehe! So funny!

A little birdie told me that there are some of you who are wondering about the firefighter. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to say, I haven't seen him. I know. I'm just as upset as you are! Since it's so cold outside, they keep their fire door down and don't mingle outside anymore. They hibernate. Damn! He's so cute, too! I'm not giving up hope, just yet! My friend Caitlin told me to bake cookies and take them into the building, "as a nice gesture for all the good work they do." Hehe! I can't do that! Yeah right! I have a hard enough time looking him in the eye and responding to his, "Hey, how are you?" Deliver cookies? Maybe after those tequila shots! =)

Note to self: When you wake up on Sunday and realize your life is a bit like a clip from the movie, Pineapple Express, you should maybe actually listen yourself when you say, This isn't a good idea. Watch this clip. Yup...think before you click send, Ashley. Idiot! This is how I feel about that! ;) Oh well...what can I do now? Cutting my fingers off would be a good option. ;)

Brett Visit: Day 6

Today we start off by going back to Bryant Park for the “Original Belgian Waffle.” They were so good. They came with all kinds of toppings. We got ours with Nutella and bananas. It is wonderful. The waffles were delicious, they went good with our coffee that we made.

First, we get the Crumbs Cupcakes. I hear a lot about them and they look amazing. We got them instead of pies which was cool because then we got to try more sweets. We set off for Soho. Which is ‘South of Houston Street’ and New Yorkers say house-ton instead of Houston. This place has crazy shopping. It’s the magnificent mile of New York. But before we start a lady stops me and asks me about the cupcakes. She shows us her mini ones that she bought. So we talk cupcakes for a bit and we head to get our own mini cupcakes. The little corner window had like 10 different kinds of cakes. We got cookie dough, red velvet, mint chocolate, s’more, peanut butter and jelly, and cookies and cream.

Soho had a lot of cool stores and they were all places that are only in Soho. It was vintage and had the small town feel because the shops were local only. I liked all of the clothes and the style of all the stores, however, unless you make six figures most of the stores are too expensive. Which made me sad because I found a lot of clothes that I liked but it was out of my price range. Ashley found this jewelry store that was absolutely huge! The walls were bright pink and every square inch was covered in jewelry. Her face lit up when she seen it. It was funny to see her cheapness come out. She would try on all sorts of things and then think out loud about buying it. And then ask me 4 or 5 times if she should get it or not and then talk herself out of it every single time. She cracks me up. I just wanted to see her buy something.

So we head out for some Chinatown cuisine. We find a place and we are the only Americans there. The waiter barley speaks English. We order different chicken meals and get our soup. I almost threw up when I found a sea serpent in my bowl. I just waited for my food. It looked and tasted very good. I only wish I knew what I was eating. I was a little nervous the whole time because you just don’t know. I felt bad for the kid whose setting at home thinking about who stole his pet and to know that I'm eating it. We stop at Eileen’s for the best cheesecake in the world. She was not lying. It was fantastic.

Ashley informs me that it’s a law to go out the night before Thanksgiving. So we meet her friends out at Asian Pub. This was fun. We sat around and had a few drinks and talked about various things. One of the guys that came out is an FDNY firefighter. I thought that was really cool because they are one of the most recognized fire departments in the nation. Then the girls wanted to dance so we went to a dance club. Awesome. I just needed to relieve my emotions through the art of dance. Ha I'm not much of a dancer but it was still pretty fun.

The bar was right out of the 60s. It was a fun place. I felt like a fifth wheel so I wandered off and did my own thing. I just kind of mingled with random people and talked to a few people along the way. When I made my way back, Ashley pointed out this guy looked like Ludacris. It was awesome she got a picture with him and the girl he was with didn’t think it was near as awesome as we did. When Ashley walked away he gave her the what in the hell are you smoking look. It was pretty funny. We took a cab back to her place, thank God I was about sick of walking. We fixed up the rest of the street meat and her lasagna and, my mistake, left her alone in the kitchen. She put the metal tin container in the microwave. I turn around just in time to notice the first blue flash. I run over and open the microwave and fix the food myself. She didn’t know that you cannot put metal in the microwave. And she is surviving in New York? Her microwave has a little scar now it was really funny in the morning.

Brett Visit: Day 1

In preparation to visit New York I, like usual waited till the last minute to pack my things. Two friends of mine turned 21 the week I left. So Thursday night we went out to celebrate. I came home a little later than planned and I had to be up at 5 a.m.! Needless to say, the morning wasn’t my favorite part of the day. I get to the airport with my dad, and I check my bags and I forgot to tag my luggage, haha. My mom was freaking out. The flight was a blur I got there in no time and rode the bus into the city.

The walk to Ashley’s apartment was “Only three blocks.”  Ha, I wish it was only three blocks. So after about 10 minutes I come up to this building and it looked really nice and it was the address I was looking for. I thought no way this is her place. I was picturing the stereotypical apartment that’s brick and kind of run down. Not hers; it is a huge very nice building. I get into her room and see that it is a little small but very nice. She has a balcony that I stood on for a while and overlooked a little bit of the big city. That was pretty cool, I could see part of the Hudson and the quieter side of Manhattan. After the long morning and the walk I set out for some food. I figured I had to start out the trip right and get some New York pizza. I got a piece of Hawaiian and it was so good. I took a nap and set out a little early to Ashley’s work to see her for the first time. I walk around time square a little and it is absolutely breathtaking. It’s so bright and chaotic yet everything has order.

So I finally have to go meet Ashley. Like I do in Iowa where ever I go, I got lost. But I found my way to her and it was great to see her. I hadn’t seen her in such a long time. We set out to get something to eat. We planned on going to some chicken place but it was too busy. So we settled for Dallas BBQ. There was a little wait, which was fine because I got to people watch. And in New York, you see some characters. I seen a man in high heels. Really? The food…fantastic! Worth the wait. And that gave us time to catch up. Then we went to the oldest ale house in New York, McSorely’s. It was so cool. They brew their own beer and you can only order light or dark. And when you order one, you get two. The beer was actually pretty good. I tried both the light and the dark. I liked both of them, the dark beer wasn’t dark and thick like dark beers now. It was rich and flavorful. The whole bar was authentic, the bartenders, the waiters, the artifacts, the bar, everything was Irish and old school.

Then we went to some bar that was well, interesting. I think we were the only ones of Caucasian decent and the only ones that acted like it. It was fun though; I got to meet Ashley’s friend O’Anna and her friend that eats cereal four times a day, as he told me. We didn’t get home till around 2 which is early in NYC. It’s not like Iowa where people go out at 9 or 10 and get home at 12 or 1. You go out at 11 or later and leave the bar at around 4.

Day 90

December 5, 2009

It's Saturday! Yay! My plan is to wake up, go to Kate Spade, and head to work. However, it's snowing and raining sideways! Yikes! I don't want to get out in this weather, until absolutely necessary! And snow...it's not necessary. The thing is...it wasn't even a pretty snow! It's cold, wet, and ugly! Give me some thick snowflakes, on a quiet night, and then we can talk.

So, work. Holy toledo we are busy! And I mean busy! The restaurant is buzzing and we are running around, doing all sorts of things! It's great! I love it when it's like this! A boat load of children come into the restaurant tonight. I love kids, don't get me wrong. And I would love to have some of my own someday. Working around them...insta-birth control! ;) Who needs a pill...just work around the little heathens for a day, and you don't have to worry about it! =)

But please don't let your children climb all over the booths, get chocolate cookie all over the white table cloths and carpet; and please control your child and don't let them run all over the place! This is a nice establishment, where people come to have a nice dinner. A screaming child, flailing themselves all over a booth, is not really what this place is about. It's common sense, so please use it next time you decide to take your children to a nice place, maybe cover some ground rules on basic, restaurant etiquette. Thanks!

After work, Kara and I go out for our other co-worker friend's, birthday! We go to Swift on the Lower East Side! The place is great! The music is awesome, the drinks are pretty good, and the atmosphere is a bar/somewhat dance club/socially-mixed crowd. A man approaches me, completely wasted (of course), and asks my name. I tell him Trisha. Kara's name? Elizabeth. Sir, you're giving me googly eyes with your glazed over, can't even keep them open, pupils. Do you really think I'm going to tell you my real name? Nah.

  

The man, whose name I don't remember (probably because I don't think I asked him), asks where I'm from. I say, Iowa, of course! I'm proud to be from Iowa. He tells me his short, somewhat pudgy friend, is from Nebraska. Go figure, right?! Ha! I look around the six foot, five inch man I'm speaking with and nicely say, "Oh, I'm from Iowa!" Roley poley responds, "You actually tell people that?" He doesn't understand how upset I get when people say this.

"Of course I do. But I suppose being from Nebraska, I wouldn't admit that either! It's not really a place I would be proud to call home," I respond. Stupid, fat prick! Go eat a donut and get out of my face! Ugh! There's someone who forgot where he came from! And I'm sorry, but you don't fit in here! Don't be arrogant when you're standing with another dude, by yourselves, talking only to each other, when there is a room full of attractive women. If you are such a stud, maybe a woman would grab onto your 5'5" ball of dough body...you're in New York City, pal! Your arrogance, especially when you look like this, won't get you anywhere! Hate to break it to ya' Pillsbury! Have a good night!

Then...these girls take over the booth where we are standing. When they ask if they can sit down, we figure they will take half of the oversized booth, and we'll take the other half. Oh no! They took the whole thing, spilled liquor all over our coats, and our coats end up on the floor! Kara, who has an attitude (which is awesome), gives them the bitch look, says a few sarcastic things, then we walk away. Stupid girls in their Christmas sweaters! Maybe they should talk to Pillsbury! They seem about the same and that they might get along!

Then, I lost an earring. My favorite gold hoop earrings! I'm so sad! They weren't expensive, but they're so cute and I wear them all the time! It's a sad night on the cab ride home. Yea, I took a cab. It's too cold for these legs to be walking all the way back to Midtown!

Note to self: Go with a minimal amount of items to a bar. Even if you have to work, leave some things in the coat closet. Don't bring your suitcase of a bag with you because it only can be disastrous! You bump into people, get the dirty look, and get the occasional drunk girl bumping into you. Not worth it. Especially if you have an attitude. You don't need a confrontation where it isn't necessary. And when you know yourself enough to know that if a drunk girl does bump into you, you will say something. So don't even let the opportunity present itself!

Day 82

November 27, 2009

Black Friday! I’m pretty sure it’s one of the best days ever invented. It should also be considered a national holiday. Don’t you agree? Sure, sure everyone complains about the insane amount of people, but c’mon now…when can you ever get a set of knives for $10?? Okay, I didn’t get them either, but if you wanted to, you could! An electric blanket for $50? Please. You don’t have to ask me twice!

Before work, Brett and I go shopping. I wasn’t crazy this year and didn’t go at 5 a.m. I’m shocked with myself! But honestly, with all of the craziness Brett and I had been doing the previous days, I was too exhausted to lift my head at 8 a.m., let alone 4 a.m.! We still got great deals and avoided the majority of the crowds. Until…we hit Macy’s! You have to go to Macy’s on Black Friday—only the one on 34^th Street. The largest one!

Brett gets a great deal on a coat, and get a great deal on some fabulous brown boots with a gold buckle! Whew! They make my legs look so sexy. ;) jk! As we’re getting ready to leave, because I have to go to work, a man approaches me in jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes, saying, “Excuse me, ma’am.” I’m thinking to myself, Are you really going to try and solicit me in the middle of Macy’s make-up department on Black Friday? I was instantly irritated. But my frown quickly turned upside down when the words, “I’m from CNN,” came out of his mouth!

He says to me, “I’m from CNN and I was wondering if you’d be interested in doing a live broadcast. You look like you have a lot of energy.” I look at Brett and he says, “Do it!” So, I do a small shrug and say, “Sure, I can be energetic for CNN!” =) Hehe. So, he walks me over and introduces me to the broadcaster and tells me where I need to stand and says not to answer just yes or no to questions. Okay, that’s easy! I’m quite the talker, so I will have NO problem chatting it up for 15 seconds.

We’re getting ready for air when the broadcaster says, “You’re name’s Shirley?” What? Are you kidding me? Shirley? I think to myself. “It’s Ashley,” I kindly reply. Do I look like a Shirley? I’m 25 years old, born in the 80s! My parents would have had to do some serious pot when I was born to be named Shirley! Just because you know I’m from Iowa, give me some credit here Ms. Broadcaster! Shirley is a great name, so don’t think I’m knocking it. I just thought it was funny that of all the names she could have misunderstood, she chose Shirley!

So, I’m not supposed to answer yes or no to her questions. So, don’t ask me yes or no questions, lady! She says, “Have you found the sales to be helpful?” I’m thinking, Well, yes. Duh! It’s Black Friday. I reply with something like, “The sales have been great. Everything is 30, 40, and 50 percent off. We’ve found some great deals!” Hehe. All the while, I occasionally tilt my head towards the camera and talk at the camera, so America can get a look at my face! =) Haha, I love it! And instead of asking me, “Have you bought anything?” ask me, “What have you bought today?” You saw my bags; you know I bought stuff! You’re the professional, not me and I have better questions than you do! Maybe CNN should hire me! I consider myself pretty relatable to all types of people. I think I’d be pretty darn good at interviewing on live television!

  

Side note: If anyone can find this interview on the Internet, please let me know! I have Googled this to no end and can still not find anything! I want to see it, so please get in touch with me if you find it!

As we’re leaving I ask Brett, “I wonder if anyone saw this.” The whole time, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, Dyanna (my friend from back home), loves CNN. She always watches it! What do you know? My phone vibrates and it’s her. I already know what she’s going to say before I even pick up the phone! She saw it! Awesome! My uncle Mick and cousin, Tyler saw it too! Hey, that’s good enough for me! Everyone gets 15 minutes of fame, and I still have 4 minutes, 45 seconds left! Whew hew!

I go to work at the restaurant for a little bit and Brett explores around, spending the majority of his day at the Sea, Air, and Space Museum. It’s literally, a block away from my apartment, sitting on the Hudson River. Yes, I live by the water, which is beautiful when it’s nice outside to take a walk or go for a run on a nice day! Check out his pictures below. If you have further interest, visit their website! It looks really cool…I wish I could have gone with him!

 

After work, Brett and I go out for one last dinner before he leaves. =( Ariba, Ariba Mexican Restaurant, here we come! I love Mexican food and so does Brett, so it worked out perfectly. So, I do warn him that when we walk in, there will be an over abundance of males, occupying this restaurant. Males that like other males. He seemed okay with it, until we walked in. He’s not anti-homosexual, but in Iowa, you don’t tend to see many, so he was a little overwhelmed. Totally cool, but not really sure where to look, or what to do! Hehe.

Brett got a banana margarita, which is probably the best margarita I’ve ever tried. I got the raspberry, which was great also, but the banana…whew hew! Delicious! I’m not a fan of margaritas, but Ariba, Ariba’s are fantastic! They make you want to stand up and yell, “Ariba, Ariba,” with your arms flailing in the air, after you stand up from drinking one! The food was great. Brett got some enchilada or something with chocolate sauce. Yeah, I just made a gross face too. He thought the chocolate meant, “dark sauce.” What, Brett? Really? If it were dark sauce, they would say dark sauce. Chocolate means chocolate, you dummy! Hehe! My food was great!

Next stop…Max Brenner’s! Completely on the opposite side of town, but well worth the trip! They have absolutely, hands down, the best desserts you will ever eat in your life. But only if you are a die-hard chocolate lover like Brett and myself. Check out our desserts and you have to check out their website! All we kept saying is, “So good. This is so good.” I could eat there everyday!

Next stop…The Snug! It sounds so cute, huh? It’s a fun little place in Hell’s Kitchen I like to go to. Happy Hour is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.! That’s fantastic! We meet some of my friends and hang out for a bit. Brett and I are practically falling asleep at the table because we are so full and so tired from the week. It’s about 2 a.m. or so, so we decide to call it an early night.

Note to self: Laughter is the best medicine! Truly! When your brother makes you laugh until your stomach hurts, it makes you feel good and makes useless distractions go away! In my opinion, being witty is much more comical than straight up humor. My brother and I are more witty than comical, which makes things we say often funny. Always make sure to laugh—whether it’s at a joke, at yourself, or the lady who biffs it on her face in the middle of the street. It’s great to laugh at yourself! I do it on a daily basis! What a better way to understand yourself than through humor? If you can’t laugh at yourself, and make fun of the stupid decisions you make, or the ridiculous things you say, than there’s something wrong with you! Have enough confidence and self-esteem to release your inner dork, embrace your quirkiness, and let loose! When people say, don’t take yourself too seriously…listen to them! Why waste your time? It’s no fun to be serious all the time!

Day 80

November 25, 2009

Today…we are on a mission. We have serious Soho shopping to do, Crumbs cupcakes to buy, and hunt down the best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. We start the morning by going to a pop-up waffle stand in Bryant Park’s holiday shopping area. Look at the pictures below. They are delicious! We top our waffles with Nutella and bananas. Nutella is amazing. If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it. It’s also really good on crepes with strawberries. It’s chocolate, people! I would just like to thank my high school French teacher, Mrs. Larson, for introducing me to the fantastic spread…not to mention Toblerone chocolate bars and Lindt chocolate balls.  

 

First stop of the day, is of course, Crumbs cupcakes. They look amazing! We got these instead of a traditional holiday pie. We got Red Velvet, Pumpkin, Apple Pie, Butterfinger, White Hot Chocolate, and a marble of some kind with Cookie Dough topping. Yum, right?? Check out their listing of cakes, here! By looking at the picture below, you can quickly tell our sweets buying did not stop at 9 a.m. Oh no! In Soho, when a lady stops us and asks about our Crumbs, then she shows us her “mini,” "Baked by Melissa Stuffed cupcakes," of course we have to get some to try! Really tasty, by the way! Then, when we pass NYC’s best cheesecake ever, Eileen's…we can’t pass this up either! Let me tell you.  Eileen knows her cheesecakes! I will say, they were probably the best I’ve ever tasted! So amazing! And how cute are they that they come round instead of your typical slice?

In Soho, we quickly realize how much money we don’t have to spend. It’s pretty expensive to shop around there—unless you want to go to Express or Forever 21. You can go to those stores in Iowa! We want vintage and local designers. Yeah…again, I’m too cheap to pay $80 for a dress! It was insanely cute, but I couldn’t justify it! Brett got some great things. He’s not afraid to spend money! He got really irritated about the fact that I’m so cheap. It got to the point, that if I picked something up, he would say, “Buy it. Just buy it.” Hehe. I never did! =) I get my bargain shopping from my Aunt Tammy. She’s even worse than me, if you can imagine! That’s okay, Tammy. At least we always get more for our money! Check out some of the pictures on our shopping extravaganza.

  

So, it’s lunch and we’re starving. Brett has to go to Chinatown for some authentic Chinese food. We settle at a restaurant, where we are the only two white. We figure this has to be authentic, considering no one spoke English and no white Americans were present. We order chicken. You can’t go wrong with chicken. However! Who the hell knows what’s on our plate! Considering it’s authentic, I forgot they think dog is a delicacy. Hmm…so, our lunch could very well be a small poodle, or maybe a Siamese cat; possibly a rat out of the subway, or pigeon off the street. Whatever it was, it was delicious! And our check was in Chinese!

 

I was slightly nauseated eating it, for fear I had no idea what was going into my body. To go box? I don’t think so. Check out the pictures, it tastes as good as it looks! Minus Brett’s loch ness monster in his soup. When I saw that, I calmly placed my bowl of egg drop soup to the side, gagged a little in my mouth, and focused on the white rice and broccoli. You know this stuff is real! You can’t fake a dog in nature’s mini trees!

It’s the night before Thanksgiving, so of course, we have to go out! It’s pretty much written in the law books that going out the night before Thanksgiving is a must. Honestly, think about it. What better hangover food could you ask for? I can’t think of anything either. Thanksgiving is a day where laziness, taking naps, and eating way too much food is actually okay and highly desired! My advice: take advantage! Good thing I typically listen to my advice! =)

We meet my friend from work, her boyfriend, and his brother. We go to Asian Pub on the Lower East Side to start the night. It’s a fun, chill bar where the drinks are cheap and really good. We were all pretty happy by the time we left. So…where do we go? Dancing, of course! Duh! What else would I do?

The dance club was a nostalgic, old school, kind of place. Bricks walls cover the inside from top to bottom, while 1960s vintage décor makes it feel like you are in an underground club from the post-hippy phase. The music was great and we had a blast! Check out the pictures! There was a guy who looked like Ludacris. The picture doesn’t do it justice. I’m pretty sure he thought I was nuts. Why does he think that, you ask? Brett said when I walked away, he gave me one of those looks you typically don’t throw out unless you do it behind someone’s back, knowing you won’t get caught! Haha!

   

Then I hear another lame pick-up line. Shocking! I know. Jon is his name. He walks up to my friend and I and says, “Excuse me. Can you take my picture and e-mail it to me?” Of course, being from Iowa, I believe him at first. “Sure,” I reply. Then, the creepy grin he gave me, made me quickly realize he isn’t being friendly. He’s being a creeper! Look at him! He can totally be classified as a creeper! His crazy eyes did way too much wandering for my liking. Needless to say, I get his e-mail address because I feel bad, but I don’t e-mail him. I’m not that naive!

Brett and I stroll in my apartment at, oh, I don’t know…4:30 a.m.! Eek! This is post Brett “falling asleep” in the cab. So funny, especially when he started snoring! Classic! We chow, and I mean literally chow, on leftover lasagna and street meat. Let me just say, both taste so much better tonight!

Note to self: Don’t put aluminum foil containers in the microwave. When your brother starts yelling at you because your microwave is lighting up blue, maybe you should realize that cooking at 4:30 in the morning could skew your way of thinking, just a tad. Who would have thought? You always hear of this idea being a really bad one, but you have to try it out for yourself, I suppose. That’s my logic behind it. Plus, I have a really pretty black mark on the back of my microwave. I like to consider it a memory, from Brett’s trip, that will most definitely never go away.

Day 76

November 21, 2009

Saturday is an early start. We’re out to find the best breakfast in Hell’s Kitchen. I’m pretty sure we found it! Georgio’s Country Grill has amazing breakfast! Check out the picture below! It’s cheap too! Plus, unlimited coffee? Yes, please! Hype me up on some caffeine in the wee hours of the a.m.!

The whole theme of the trip. “We’re not that far away.” I always say this to Brett, forgetting that three blocks to Iowans is a quite a hike. So, when we eat breakfast on 53^rd St., and I tell him we have to walk to 78^th St., he freaks out a little. “We’re not that far away?” he says, “that’s so far!” Fun fact: 20 blocks equals one mile. Another thing, I’ve learned to walk fast—something else Brett isn’t used to. I forgot that pretty much every time I took a step while he was here.

So, we make the trek to The Museum of Natural History. It’s where they filmed “Night at the Museum.” I can’t even explain how amazing this place was. The pictures below don’t really do it justice, but it was so interesting. We saw dinosaurs, sea animals, the history of evolution, Indian artifacts, etc. You name it, they have it! We were there for four hours! It’s a place you can easily spend two days in! Brett and I were talking about how insanely awesome it would be to get a huge game of hide-and-go-seek going in that place!

   

We leave the museum and it’s time for the “best” NY style cheesecake. At the time, I was unsure, so I take us to Junior’s. We order dessert and an appetizer. They claim to be the best cheesecake in the city. Liars! It’s good, but it’s not the best! It’s right off Times Square, so tourists will believe them when they say it really is the best. I know better, now that I live here! But it looks good in the picture, huh?

Next stop, and probably the most anticipated place for Brett’s trip…the Penguin store. Brett’s all-time favorite brand of clothing! He was in heaven! He was like a kid in a candy store, or better yet…he was like a 25-year-old girl, who is broke and just moved to the city, who found a dollar on the street! He got some great stuff and the whole store was an extra 30% off everything! No better time to go!

It is now time to head home and get ready for my birthday extravaganzas! So, I work at The Capital Grille, as you know. And every Saturday, Dan Marino comes into our restaurant, so naturally I have to take my brother there to eat. My bosses are so incredible. I got my whole meal for free, except Brett’s steak! And…Brett got to see Dan Marino, up close and personal! That’s what made my night! The food…I can’t even explain how delicious it is. If you ever have a chance to go, go! It’s a tad expensive, but so worth it! I promise you!

Now, it’s time to celebrate! Being 25 is actually pretty exciting! I have met some incredible friends out here and I was so happy they all came out to celebrate with Brett and me! We went out in Hell’s Kitchen to a few really great bars. One bar, Rudy’s, gives you free hot dogs! Ha! I didn’t eat one, but you bet your sweet cheeks Brett did! My friend Morgan, and another guy Brett likes to call Prince Charming from Shrek, convinced him it would be a good idea to eat one. Check out some pictures below! We had so much fun, we didn’t get home until 4 a.m.!

   

Note to self: When you know it’s going to be an extremely late night, and you know you have to get up early the next day, set your alarm. You know when you don’t go to bed until 4:30 in the morning, your body is probably not going to wake up at 7 a.m., like you want it to. When you have a big drive and long day ahead of you, a good night’s rest is important, right? Nah! I’m only 25, Brett’s only 21, we can handle it. Yeah…right.

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