"Don't be cynical, no one in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get but if you work hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen."
This quote really resonates with me. Every time I'm feeling down or needing some encouragement I look to it. It helps me to remember that I need to stop being so hard on myself but also not to get so discouraged that I give up either. Saying that I was excited to write this post would be a lie, but I am relieved to let everyone know my new plans. In two weeks I will be moving home.
I have loved living in New York City and it will always be a wonderful memory and something that I am proud of doing, but it was not as easy as it seems. I knew that the economy would be bad and that graduating in the time that I did was one of the absolute worst times to find a job, but I didn't know it would be this hard. I have been preparing for over a year making connections and contacts, searching for jobs and planning my next move: moving to New York to find a job in journalism.
Since graduation, I feel as though I have been tested more than I have ever been. I have never laughed so much or cried so hard in the 7 months since then. I definitely don't miss the classes, but I miss the college life, my friends and Auburn so much more than I ever thought I would. And I miss home as well. I miss the small things like good Mexican food, being able to drive my car when its raining instead of having to walk or take the subway, fresh air and trees, southern hospitality and being around those that I love. It's funny how it takes getting away from it all to realise that maybe its exactly the place that you were meant to be.
I've given it six months and two internships later, and nothing is giving. So, come March 12, I'll be back in the south. I will continue my job search both in Birmingham and Auburn and have extended my search to PR and communications positions. I am also going to look into freelancing as an option on the side.
All things must come to an end, but it doesn't mean that there isn't a new beginning waiting to start somewhere else. I will be very sad to go. I have loved experiencing the city as a resident and will always consider myself a Manhattanite and a southern girl-two things that I love. I will miss all the amazing food, walking in Central Park, Broadway, the view from my room, living in the West Village, meeting wonderful friends, the energy of the city and so much more. But I know that New York is not going anywhere and will always be there for me to experience again
Life never goes according to plan and well, maybe its better that way. I'll leave you with one last quote that has provided much needed solace lately. “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on.” Robert Frost
Thanks for reading this lengthy post-see you all in the south very soon!
“I admit it's tempting to wish for the perfect boss - the perfect parent - or the perfect outfit. But maybe the best any of us can do is not quit, play the hand we've been dealt, and accessorize what we've got.”---Carrie Bradshaw
2/21/11
My what beautiful feet you have!
I'm sorry it seems to have been three weeks since my last blog post but I thought I'd fill you in on why I've been so busy lately. Since the job search isn't going as expected, I've had to turn to other things to keep me occupied and help supplement my income. One of those things is babysitting. I have met two families up here that I've been asked to sit for. One is a young couple that live walking distance from me and they have a 7 month old little girl. She might be the most precious thing I have ever seen and I'm pretty much in love with her. I've also been sitting for a family with a 16 month old girl on the Upper East Side. I do three days back to back so I'm pretty much exhausted by the time I am through. I'm glad to be staying busy and I really enjoy working with both families. I have also been continuing to work as a temporary personal assistant to the VP of Glocap Search, a temp agency I went through to try and find some work. I've really been enjoying the recruiting aspect of the job and its been helpful to learn some new skills for my resume. Probably the strangest thing I've done has been foot modeling. Yes, that's right, I said foot modeling. I found out through a friend on twitter (yes, the power of social media is pretty powerful) that a friend was looking for a size 7 foot to model his shoes. He is a rep for two different high end designers. I met with him and tried on some samples and it was a perfect fit (pun intended)! I had my first appointment with a client a week or so ago. I got to try on all sorts of heels and have my foot photographed in them while the buyer decided which shoes to add to her collection for next fall. It was definitely one of the most interesting things I've done in New York and its funny what opportunities might arise when you are open to them.
"Yes, I'd like a cheeseburger, please, large fries and a cosmopolitan."---Carrie Bradshaw
"Yes, I'd like a cheeseburger, please, large fries and a cosmopolitan."---Carrie Bradshaw
2/20/11
Hotdogs, ice cream, and boardwalking: My trip to Coney Island
With the weather reaching the mid 60s this past week and then plunging back down into the 30s with rain and snow I was a little more than depressed about this sudden weather change we've been having. In desperate need of a change of scenery, pace and hopefully weather to pull me out of my slump, I set off with three friends to visit Coney Island on a Sunday afternoon. We took the F train about 30 stops (a little over an hour) all the way out to the furthest point in Brooklyn, Coney Island. One of the coolest parts of the trip was having the subway train car come above ground once we got into Brooklyn so we had some fabulous views on the way there. Sadly it was still freezing, but it was sunny and beautiful so we didn't care. We walked past Nathan's hot dog stand, home of the hot dog eating contest every 4th of July. Since these dogs are famous we just had to try them so we ended up getting a snack after our walk on the beach. Even though none of the rides were open, it was so relaxing to walk down the boardwalk and see the ocean. Everything and everyone was so chill and even in winter the atmosphere felt beachy. We walked on the sand, saw some of the rides that will be opening up this spring, stopped by the aquarium, walked into the touristy gift shop and even popped into an old fashioned candy store for some treats. And because that wasn't enough, we got ice cream too. I was also surprised by how cheap everything is when you leave the city limits. I know that this day trip will be one of my favorite memories from living in New York and I only wish I could come back to Coney Island when it opens up for the season.
“Despite the fact that there are over eight million people on the island of Manhattan, there are times you still feel shipwrecked and alone. Times even the most resourceful survivor would feel the need to put a message in a bottle, or on an answering machine.”---Sex and the City
“Despite the fact that there are over eight million people on the island of Manhattan, there are times you still feel shipwrecked and alone. Times even the most resourceful survivor would feel the need to put a message in a bottle, or on an answering machine.”---Sex and the City
I think I'll try defying gravity
Amanda and I have been crossing things of our NYC Bucket list left and right but one of the things still on our to do list was to see another Broadway show, preferably Wicked. When Amanda was temping she met a bunch of actors who told her that many of the Broadway shows do a lottery for discounted tickets the same day of a show. Since I had to work, she decided to try her luck and wait in line to put her name in for the drawing at Wicked's Gershwin Theater. Well, we didn't get tickets the first try so a few days later she decided to go again. No luck the second time so she tried for a third. Surely, the third time would be the charm, right? Wrong, we didn't get tickets a third time either. There weren't many days left before Amanda returned to Atlanta so my mom surprised us both with the most amazing tickets for Friday night. She said if we agreed to pay $60 each, she would front us the rest of the money for the tickets. Of course we said yes, they were front row mezzanine tickets for Wicked on a Friday night. Amanda had seen the show five years ago in Atlanta when they went on a national tour and I saw it at the Gershwin in New York last March when Michael and I came up for spring break. We got dressed up for a night on the town and headed uptown to the theater. Amanda got an awesome souvenier shirt before the show started and we made sure to take lots of pictures to document our night. The show was just as incredible the first time around and I highly suggest it to anyone wanting to see a Broadway show in New York City. Not only is the music and lyrics some of the strongest, but the plot is really amazing and it's so interesting how the story fits together with The Wizard of Oz. Go see the show, you will not be disappointed.
“Sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want, and just see what happens.”---Carrrie Bradshaw
1/31/11
Ground Zero: Project Rebuild
It's strange to think that in 8 months it will be 10 years since the September 11th attacks. Ask almost anyone where they were and what they were doing and I bet they can tell you. (I was sitting in my eighth grade choir class). Having been to see the Twin Towers in 2000 and having seen Ground Zero several years ago, I knew it was a place that needed to be revisited while I was here.
A few days ago, Amanda, Claire and I made the trip downtown. We ended up circling the entire grounds, stumbling into a few awesome buildings and learned about the progress being made at the Memorial Preview Site. Things have changed a lot since I had been there last and it is proving to be an exciting time to see those plans taking shape. In case you don't know or haven't seen, New York is actively working on some exciting projects of growth to rebuild the area around the towers. The first thing they are doing is building something called the Freedom Tower, which will be completed around 2013. It will stand at 1,776 feet day (anyone seeing an important date here?) and will serve as a beacon of freedom, hope and represent the strength of our people.
They are also currently working on the Memorial. Over 5,200 entries were submitted and the winning design, "Reflecting Absence" by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker was selected. It consists of two massive pools (complete with the largest man made waterfalls running down the four sides) set in the footprint of the original tower locations. The names of nearly 3,000 victims will be inscribed around the edges of the Memorial pools. Surrounding the memorial will be an eight-acre plaza with over 400 trees to create a tranquil setting for those to remember the victims. The trees were selected within a 500-mile radius of the World Trade Center site and from parts of Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. that were also affected that day. I would very much like to come back and visit what is sure to be a beautiful site.
There will also be a museum built to create an experience and accurate timeline of the events that happened on 9/11. The museum will be underground, on the site where the towers once stood and there will even be pieces of steel from the original buildings on display. I urge you to visit this site, it will keep you updated on all plans and projects regarding Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial. http://www.national911memorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=New_Home
While it is hard to think of that day and what it means to so many people, I know that we are a better and a stronger country now. This rebuild is a symbol to the rest of the world that we will not back down, tolerate, give up or forget what has happened. It is a sign of freedom, strength, humanity, healing and everything that we hold dear. This is what we have been waiting for. A physical, tangible place to hold onto while taking the next step forward. While it is not yet completed and I know there is lots more to be done, I can say this, it definitely brings me hope for the future.
“Maybe the past is an anchor holding us back. Maybe, you have to let go of who you are to become who you will be.”---Sex and the City
A few days ago, Amanda, Claire and I made the trip downtown. We ended up circling the entire grounds, stumbling into a few awesome buildings and learned about the progress being made at the Memorial Preview Site. Things have changed a lot since I had been there last and it is proving to be an exciting time to see those plans taking shape. In case you don't know or haven't seen, New York is actively working on some exciting projects of growth to rebuild the area around the towers. The first thing they are doing is building something called the Freedom Tower, which will be completed around 2013. It will stand at 1,776 feet day (anyone seeing an important date here?) and will serve as a beacon of freedom, hope and represent the strength of our people.
They are also currently working on the Memorial. Over 5,200 entries were submitted and the winning design, "Reflecting Absence" by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker was selected. It consists of two massive pools (complete with the largest man made waterfalls running down the four sides) set in the footprint of the original tower locations. The names of nearly 3,000 victims will be inscribed around the edges of the Memorial pools. Surrounding the memorial will be an eight-acre plaza with over 400 trees to create a tranquil setting for those to remember the victims. The trees were selected within a 500-mile radius of the World Trade Center site and from parts of Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. that were also affected that day. I would very much like to come back and visit what is sure to be a beautiful site.
There will also be a museum built to create an experience and accurate timeline of the events that happened on 9/11. The museum will be underground, on the site where the towers once stood and there will even be pieces of steel from the original buildings on display. I urge you to visit this site, it will keep you updated on all plans and projects regarding Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial. http://www.national911memorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=New_Home
While it is hard to think of that day and what it means to so many people, I know that we are a better and a stronger country now. This rebuild is a symbol to the rest of the world that we will not back down, tolerate, give up or forget what has happened. It is a sign of freedom, strength, humanity, healing and everything that we hold dear. This is what we have been waiting for. A physical, tangible place to hold onto while taking the next step forward. While it is not yet completed and I know there is lots more to be done, I can say this, it definitely brings me hope for the future.
“Maybe the past is an anchor holding us back. Maybe, you have to let go of who you are to become who you will be.”---Sex and the City
1/23/11
Dance! Got canned heat in my heels tonight baby...
New York City Ballet
"When real people fall down in life, they get right back up and keep walking."---Carrie Bradshaw
Our amazing $15 orchestra seats!
Lincoln Center
Love this poster
1/22/11
A Change of Color
Lately I've been feeling like I needed a pick me up. Something to get me out of this funk of been in (most likely due to lack of work, sheer boredom and the task of trying to live off of less than $3 a day). It has been a while since I dyed my hair and I had always wanted to do it again and go darker. Amanda and I decided to stop by our local Duane Reade and pick up a bottle of the perfect shade of chocolate brown, a good winter color. I was nervous since the last dye job didn't go exactly as planned, but felt fine with my hair in the hands of Amanda (she's done this before). I have to say, I'm pleased with the results. The first two days are shocking and the color (at its darkest) always takes some time to get used to. It's been almost a week and it has turned into such a great color. I've been getting compliments left and right (which leads me to believe that people actually prefer this shade on me better!)
On a completely different note, this past Wednesday I attended a DG Dinner. When I moved up here, I wanted to get involved with the sorority as an alum but also wanted to reach out to others and make more connections. I've met some really great people over the past couple of months and I decided I'd attend one of their regular events, DG dinner, where they dine out together at a restaurant about once a month. This month's choice was Keste, a tiny pizza place in the Village. They had delicious food and wine and I got to meet some new DG's. It's so cool to find out that there is a sister I can count on no matter where I go or end up!
"As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, wouda, buckle up and just keep going."---Sex and the City
Before hair dye
After hair dye
On a completely different note, this past Wednesday I attended a DG Dinner. When I moved up here, I wanted to get involved with the sorority as an alum but also wanted to reach out to others and make more connections. I've met some really great people over the past couple of months and I decided I'd attend one of their regular events, DG dinner, where they dine out together at a restaurant about once a month. This month's choice was Keste, a tiny pizza place in the Village. They had delicious food and wine and I got to meet some new DG's. It's so cool to find out that there is a sister I can count on no matter where I go or end up!
"As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, wouda, buckle up and just keep going."---Sex and the City
1/19/11
A Very SJP day...
I have some very exciting news to share.
After years of being obsessed with Sex and the City, wishing I was like Carrie and moving to New York, I really hoped I'd spot a celebrity or two. Well, I can now say that I have seen Sarah Jessica Parker in the flesh! Amanda has a website that she checks for movie filming locations and she noticed that Sarah Jessica is filming a new movie. We trekked downtown to Wall Street and decided to explore for a little while. We saw plenty of trailers for equipment and dressing rooms but no film crews. Just as we were about to give up, Amanda spotted a small crowd of people. We ran across the street and saw a film crew, lighting set up and tons of extras standing outside. We saw two directors chairs inside the building and none other than SJP was sitting in one! It was the first day of filming her new movie "I Don't Know How She Does It" about a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her family. It was so crazy to see her in real life as I feel like I've come to know her on the screen. And she looked totally fabulous-like she was Carrie Bradshaw!
Still on a high from seeing SJP, we had been wanting to see the original Carrie Bradshaw apartment. It turns out that I have just another reason to love living in the West Village. The apartment is located at 66 Perry Street, about a five minute walk from my place. And, SJP and Matthew Broderick live just behind on Charles Street. I still can't believe it all happened. I hope to go back to the set again to watch some filming, but for now, I can die happy! So I'll leave you with one last quote, I think it's rather appropriate...
After years of being obsessed with Sex and the City, wishing I was like Carrie and moving to New York, I really hoped I'd spot a celebrity or two. Well, I can now say that I have seen Sarah Jessica Parker in the flesh! Amanda has a website that she checks for movie filming locations and she noticed that Sarah Jessica is filming a new movie. We trekked downtown to Wall Street and decided to explore for a little while. We saw plenty of trailers for equipment and dressing rooms but no film crews. Just as we were about to give up, Amanda spotted a small crowd of people. We ran across the street and saw a film crew, lighting set up and tons of extras standing outside. We saw two directors chairs inside the building and none other than SJP was sitting in one! It was the first day of filming her new movie "I Don't Know How She Does It" about a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her family. It was so crazy to see her in real life as I feel like I've come to know her on the screen. And she looked totally fabulous-like she was Carrie Bradshaw!
Hard to tell but she's wearing the green coat in the director's chair
Still on a high from seeing SJP, we had been wanting to see the original Carrie Bradshaw apartment. It turns out that I have just another reason to love living in the West Village. The apartment is located at 66 Perry Street, about a five minute walk from my place. And, SJP and Matthew Broderick live just behind on Charles Street. I still can't believe it all happened. I hope to go back to the set again to watch some filming, but for now, I can die happy! So I'll leave you with one last quote, I think it's rather appropriate...
"So just live. Make mistakes, and have wonderful times, but never ever second guess who you are, where you've been, and most importantly, where it is that you're going."---Carrie Bradshaw
1/15/11
All I do is WIN, WIN, WIN!
So I'm writing to you after a very exciting week. I still cannot believe that we are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Amanda and I had been looking forward to going to the Auburn bar to watch the game with our fellow fans for weeks and we decided to prepare by getting there early. We arrived around 6 p.m. and I'm glad we did because we were able to snag a table and watch pregame. Lots of people started piling in and by kickoff the bar was packed. If we couldn't be in Glendale or Auburn, this was the place to be! It was so exciting to watch with other fans but it was such a nerve-racking game! After the final field goal the bar exploded. After the win had sunk in, we all went outside to roll the only tree in sight....sort of an unofficial Toomer's Corner. It was the best way to watch the National Championship game!
In keeping with trying to cross things off our NYC Bucket List, Amanda had been wanting to go to a museum for a while and since we both happen to be poor, unemployed graduates, we found out that you can attend museums on certain days for free. We trekked up to the MoMA on a Friday night and got to see the works of Jackson Pollock, Monet, Picasso and Warhol. Below are some of my favorites:
"Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies."---Carrie Bradshaw
1/11/11
Fabulous Lives
So I've promised to be better about blogging and I'm trying!
I've had a few days of down time since I got back to the city from spending the holidays at home and Amanda and I have taken full advantage of this time to cross several things of our "NYC Bucket List".
I have been dying to go to Shake Shack, a burger, fries and custard NYC institution whose only other competition and comparison is In-n-Out Burger on the West Coast in California. On Saturday night, Amanda and I decided to try out one of it's four locations on the Upper West Side. I know we will be making a trip to the original location in Madison Square Park when it warms up because they only have outdoor seating! We ordered Shake Shack burgers, fries and split a mint chocolate chip frozen custard with chocolate fudge truffle and whipped cream. It was delicious and we were stuffed! A true New York experience and now we're hooked!
On Sunday, we decided to do a little shopping. Figuratively speaking, as we didn't actually buy anything but instead had loads of fun going to Bloomingdales and Saks and pretending we had lots of money to spend. We had a mini fashion show and tried on lots of expensive formal gowns. Here's a few of our favorites:
"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them."---Carrie Bradshaw
I've had a few days of down time since I got back to the city from spending the holidays at home and Amanda and I have taken full advantage of this time to cross several things of our "NYC Bucket List".
I have been dying to go to Shake Shack, a burger, fries and custard NYC institution whose only other competition and comparison is In-n-Out Burger on the West Coast in California. On Saturday night, Amanda and I decided to try out one of it's four locations on the Upper West Side. I know we will be making a trip to the original location in Madison Square Park when it warms up because they only have outdoor seating! We ordered Shake Shack burgers, fries and split a mint chocolate chip frozen custard with chocolate fudge truffle and whipped cream. It was delicious and we were stuffed! A true New York experience and now we're hooked!
On Sunday, we decided to do a little shopping. Figuratively speaking, as we didn't actually buy anything but instead had loads of fun going to Bloomingdales and Saks and pretending we had lots of money to spend. We had a mini fashion show and tried on lots of expensive formal gowns. Here's a few of our favorites:
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