The End of an Era

I feel like I should spend a bunch of time writing this because it is the conclusion to this blog and to my time in New York City.  I am not sure I have the insight or the energy to do this justice at the moment.  What I can tell you right now is that NYC was the best experience of my almost 27 years.

Puppy Love

Something I am really going to miss about New York is the chance to meet so many fascinating people and make random and real human connections.  I loved going to bars by myself (does that sound terrible?) and seeing who was around to talk to.  I always met someone interesting and had great conversations.  Aydin is one of the last people I met in New York and I am so glad that I did.  I had so much fun with him my last four days in the city.  He is incredibly intelligent, pretty funny, and made fun of my nose a lot.  He is also an animal lover and our conversations over the time we spent together were mostly spent talking about dogs.  He was in the process of becoming a foster parent for a puppy and when I first met him he showed me pictures of puppies that he was choosing between.  The next night we met up at The Beagle for drinks, I am not sure he chose the place because he knew I had beagles, but it was definitely a fun little coincidence.  On our way to brunch one morning we stopped in the park to watch the dogs run around in the dog park.  After brunch I was going to head home but we stopped into an animal shelter and were told that they were in great need of fosters for puppies.  The puppies were all at the PetCo at Union Square and we found ourselves walking that direction.  There was a beautiful little beagle baby that I spotted as soon as we walked in and we headed straight for her.  She looked like a handful.  She was VERY feisty and playful.  Aydin loved her and somehow within five minutes someone handed him a clipboard, put a sweater on the puppy, and gave her to him with the leash.  It was the craziest thing.  Before he could even think on it he was walking in Union Square with a puppy in his arms.  There was no way I was going home after that.  And since my apartment had no heat or hot water and his had a puppy, it seemed a better place to spend my time anyway.  We watched TWO dog documentaries that day, bought puppy supplies, and got lots of puppy love. Thank you for sharing your baby girl with me, Aydin!

The Met

Billy, fellow Arizonan,  and I met up on a lovely Sunday after Nemo to have some brunch and to check out The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  On our way we walked through a bit of Central Park to see it covered in snow.  It was a nice sunny day so there were people everywhere walking, sledding, and building snowpeople.  It was truly a Winter Wonderland!  

It was my first time there at The Met and I absolutely fell in love.  It is an incredibly beautiful, gigantic building right on the edge of Central Park.  And if you know anything at all you know it is Serena and Blair's territory.  A little tip to visitors: many museums in NYC have a suggested price, meaning the $25 listed on their signs is insane and you can walk up with $1, ask for a ticket, and they will give you one.  There's probably something wrong about this and my thinking and I know museums take money to run and thank goodness they are there to bring this beautiful art into our lives, but I am broke and I don't really feel I need to be responsible for their funding.  I am sure there are galas that plenty of rich people feel important going to and donating.  They probably get their name on a little plaque or something. 

I have this thing when I go shopping for shoes that I can't control.  There are audible gasps when I see something I like, a good kind of pain in my stomach from the thrill of something that pleases me to look at.  Sometimes I tell the shoes how pretty they are with a light little stroke.  Museums are a very similar experience for me, without the stroking otherwise I would be kicked out or sued or something.  But when I walked around The Met, I am sure I gasped at least twenty times.  I was in awe of the immense and varying collections.  There were areas that were set up like you were walking through a Victorian house and you felt like you were in the rooms, it was brilliant.  There were glorious Greek statues dating to the BC days.  I saw works by the legendary Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Picasso.  All so amazing to see in person and it is so crazy to be that close and imagine the artist, this almost bigger than life character, sitting in front of these very canvases creating this art.  I love looking at all the little details, the thickness of the paint in certain areas, the way the colors are combined, the technique of their brushes.  It absolutely fascinates me.  

I always love seeing works that I studied in college.  It's such a thrill to see the things in person that I had only ever viewed on a PowerPoint.  The best moment of the day, and one I will remember forever, was seeing my first Mucha.  Alphonse Mucha is my favorite artist, my tattoo is inspired by his work, and I had never seen it in person.  I had no idea that I was going to turn a corner and be faced with his beautiful painting.  It took my breath away. I had a real physical reaction to the beauty in front of me and I stood there staring and examining every detail.  I wish everyone could feel what I felt when I was faced with his work, the feeling is so unique and so special.  I love the way it moves my soul. 

NYC holds so many treasures.  

Billy and me in The Park

Randomness

Adorable old couple walking home on Valentine's evening.  Holding hands with a heart balloon between them (:

My lovely Valentine's night.  Best cocktail ever at The Beagle.  Cucumber and mint something. 

Nemo...My First Blizzard!

For an Arizona girl, it was quite a year for weather in NYC.  I experienced my first hurricane and my first blizzard in a matter of months.  I think I kind of preferred the blizzard.  I got to leave work early, my bosses had never even come in, and on my way home I went to Trader Joe's.  This time I went to the food shop, not the wine shop like before Sandy (they are separate in NYC).  I was surprised to find just as many people stocking up on food as there had been for booze during the last pending natural disaster.  

I couldn't believe how much snow was consistently dumping from the moment I left work and throughout the entire night.  I love it when it snows; it gets so peaceful and quiet, everyone retreats to their homes, and the flakes look like little pieces of glitter floating through the sky.  I got my PJs on, settled into bed with my snacks and my Netflix, and hibernated until the next morning. 

I got up early, excited to look out my window at the blanket covering everything.  I was up before there were tracks in the snow and I made my way to Brooklyn Bridge Park.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day and there were many families out playing in the snow.  On my walk back everyone had woken up and started shoveling their sidewalks.  Snow is a big fat pain in the ass.  A beautiful, wonderful nuisance.  Luckily, I didn't have to drive or shovel so I just got to enjoy it.  

Walking home early from work!

Paully Bleaker

Paul and I reconnected over my trip back home to AZ while he was visiting for the holidays as well.  He is currently living in North Carolina and came to visit me at the end of January in NYC.  I had a really great weekend with him and was so happy to get to show him my hood.  We had a wonderful time eating Indian food, walking in the snow, brunching and day drinking, and running around the city,

Dimples like this should be illegal. 

Desert Days

There is something about the desert that just renews my soul.  I always feel full after I spend time there. I had a nice little hike with my parents in the Superstition Mountains.  Those mountains are the backdrop to my entire life.  I grew up in view of them and they will always symbolize home to me.  It was a lovely day outdoors.

It's a ZOO in here

I had a great trip to the Wildlife World Zoo with my parents, nephew, and sister while I was home for Christmas.  I love that zoo, much more than the Phoenix Zoo I think.  It is smaller but you get so much closer to the animals and they all seemed to be very active. 

Reunited and it feels so good

It had been more than a year since the three musketeers were together.  Jason was home from Michigan at the same time as me and we got together for a great night of drinking, Mexican food, and fighting.  

The 3 J's

Home for the Holidays

MMMhhhmmmm. Sexy.

Sister Sister

One of the very best parts about living in NYC was having people visit me.  I was SO happy that my sister, Kristen, and her husband, Dave, came to the city for the holidays.  They had been to NYC a few times before but this was their first time to be there for Christmastime.  It was a ton of fun walking around the city with them and seeing it through their eyes the first time.  It was easy to forget that my home was a place that people traveled from all over to see.  I was very lucky to get to experience it so fully.  I had the best time seeing Kristen and was thrilled for her to get to meet my friends.  

O' Christmas Tree

Christmas in New York.  I don't really think I need to explain much.  Everyone knows there is no place better to be during Christmas.  

Macy's on 34th Street

The Last of Almond

As much as I hated serving, Almond was by far my best work experience in NYC.  I am not really sure that says much about Almond but I know I got really lucky to be able to work with so many awesome people.  I asked someone recently if they thought most places would be like that or if it was a special case.  I am pretty sure it was special because pretty much everyone loved each other and the people who weren't loved by all usually didn't stick around too long.  Does that make us mean kids? Did we bully them out? Eek, I hope not, but probably.  

It was my home base in NYC, where I knew I could always get a hug when I walked in the door and some free drinks on top of it.  I could sit down at the bar and know there would be a regular there that I could chat with while I ate the amazing food.  If you go to New York, you should to go to Almond. 

Brussel sprout caesar salad, fries, and wine. 

Art by April

Red Hook

Although it was a pretty fun month, my homelessness had to end sometime.  I got a room with my coworker, Jess, in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  Some might call it the ghetto, some might call it "up and coming".  I called it home and I loved it.  The more I explored the more cool spots I found.  Van Brunt street is awesome with it's adorable cafes and bars.  It was a safe, friendly neighborhood and I loved the apartment.  My roommates were incredibly awesome, there were four of us total.  Sara is a very busy lighting designer who made me feel guilty when she asked me to jog with her.  We bonded over our similar upbringings and talked a lot about boys.  She is a really beautiful, kind, sweet person, so motivated and strong, it was such a blessing to get to know her.  Jess is a jack of many trades, really busy and motivated as well.  She is super chill and funny and we hung out a lot.  She was always down for a conversation and I confided in her a lot.  I will miss our bodega trips for soda and strawberry sour patch straws.  Nikita is an artist and barely ever home, when he is he is there with his awesome girlfriend, unfortunately I didn't get to know either of them very well but he was a really smart, interesting person.  Sara and Jess and I had some great conversations on the evenings that we were all home.  We were like the ultimate feminist trio.  I really loved having them as roommates.  

The building consisted of three apartments, one of which, the basement, was empty due to damage from the hurricane.  I moved in after Sandy so I wasn't there to witness it, but apparently there was five feet of water in our staircase leading up to our apartment on the third floor.  The second floor apartment had four boys living there.  The staircase hallway was covered in awesome graffiti and posters and funny little pictures that all of us had found and posted.  There was even a bottle of spray paint left out to use whenever the mood struck to leave some art on the walls, which it did quite often and I feel pretty good about leaving my mark there.  

Thankful

I enjoyed my second Thanksgiving in New York City by spending most of the day in Central Park, my escape to sanity in this crazy city.  It was a gorgeous Fall day spent laying in the grass and sunshine and taking in the beauty of the outdoors.  Autumn is something that doesn't really happen where I grew up so it was amazing to get to see it from start to finish.  What a magical season. 

I woke up too late, once again, to get to see the Macy's Day Parade, so I think I am probably never going to witness that in person, and I am not sure I really care.  I met up with my lovely friend Terra and we walked around for a bit before meeting Jess (future rookie) and her friend Courtney at a pub to celebrate Thanksgiving Irish style. 

Chin down, neck out.

When I went to Connecticut with Eva I met a dope guy named Derrick.  He liked my hair and I like anyone that likes my hair.  Plus, like I already said...he's super dope. He asked me if I would be part of a photo shoot with him and his friend, the incredibly talented photographer Steve Walter.  It was for designer and stylist Lauren DiNardo.  Also incredibly talented, her style is whimsical and romantic vintage.  It was an amazingly fun day from start to end.  It was also something I would have never thought I could have the guts to do.  I took the train from Grand Central to Stratford, 90 minutes and a world away from New York City. Luckily for me, Steve's studio was above the bar that Eva and I went to on my first trip there, so that wasn't much opportunity for me to get myself lost.  I actually stopped in to the pub to have a cider before I went upstairs, I was pretty nervous to be in front of the camera with a bunch of strangers.  They turned out to be awesome strangers.  Jaime Carrano was the makeup artist and she was truly an artist.  She spent so much time expertly applying the makeup with such detail, I was so happy with the results, I wish I could have her do that every morning for me! It really is amazing what some fake eyelashes can do as well.  I had a lot of fun when Derrick was cutting my hair, he was excited to be cutting it and I just let him do his thing and it turned out amazing.  I felt so spoiled! The beautiful Stefanie Heid was there to model too and it was fun getting to see things from the other side of the camera while Steve shot her photos.  She is incredibly sweet and a super inspiring yoga instructor.  Lauren's friend Hugo was there to help us out and he brought us pizza which was much needed after a long day.  It was such a fun group of people and I am so glad I got the chance to be a part of such a positive experience.  We didn't all know each other but we worked so well together all day and it was definitely one of my favorite moments of my time here.  

Thank you to you all!

Lauren DiNardo

Steve Walter

Derrick Driver

Jamie Carrano

Stephanie Heid

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Steph, Eva, April, Courtney, and Me

City Love

4 More Years!

Election Night.  What can I say?  Definitely one of my top 5 nights in NYC.  Growing up in AZ I never knew what fun it could be to live in a place that was so widely liberal.  I worked on election night and most of the diners who came in were there to eat and hurry home to watch the results.  It was fun to get to update them on the electoral counts and know that we were most likely rooting for the same guy.  

There was a lot of energy in the air as the staff would sneak away periodically to watch TV and follow along.  When it became clear that Obama was the winner we had celebratory shots.  Eva, April, Jose, Tyler and I took the celebration to the streets and basically ran around with the rest of the city cheering and toasting.

   The Empire State Building turned blue, people were high-fiving in the street and chanting "4 More Years".  It was magic.  

Vagabond

If you have the opportunity to be homeless for a month I would suggest you do it.  Especially if you can do it some place like New York City.  

Now, in all fairness I wasn't truly "homeless" in  the sense that I was living on the street, sleeping on a cardboard air mattress, and begging for money,but I was "homeless" in the fact that I did not have a home. Only a suitcase, a storage unit, and a great friend.  April and her husband let me stay on their couch for about a month after Sandy.  I was very lucky that many people offered their couches to me, but April cooks a lot so I stayed with her.  Plus, we had a ton of fun and it gave me my first taste of roommate life in NYC.  Thank you so much April for your hospitality and generosity and all the food and alcohol a homeless gal could hope for! Not to mention the movie lessons. 

It was kind of fun being a shit head and a free spirit.  I spent more time wandering around the city in parks and going to meet friends.  It was a great conversation starter in bars when people asked where I lived.  And I ended up passing out in a lot of great apartments waking up next to really cute dogs.  It was a month of being forced to be carefree and it was amazing.  Obviously, the romance didn't last and I eventually just really wanted a room and a bed and some privacy, as I am sure April and her husband wanted theirs.  

  

 

Birthday Boy

It was touch and go dealing with diva birthday boy Joey.  Sandy had threatened to ruin all his plans. Thank goodness, for all of us, that Joey was still able to celebrate his birthday as planned.

I am a great friend so I bought him some Popeye's fried chicken before we went out.  On the train, we got delayed and sat underground not moving for about 45 minutes.  Knowing that the subway systems had extensive damage from the storm, it was a bit unnerving.  Surprisingly, especially if you know me well, I didn't lose my patience.  I think Sandy taught me a thing or two about waiting.  I occupied Joey by showing him pictures on my phone and before we knew it we were off to Almond for a bit of pre-partying.  After our friends had gathered we made our way to a DJ show at Le Poisson Rouge.

I can't tell you much about that night except that I woke up without my scarf and with a fur coat that was not mine.  I think that means it was a success.  

Stuck on the train. He is NOT amused. 

My First NYC Halloween

Sandy kind of ruined actual Halloween.  October 31 came and went for me without much ado.  Luckily, I still got to celebrate and dress up twice!  We wore our costumes to work at Almond the weekend before Halloween and after the Hurricane there was a serious need for some celebrating and many people had late Halloween parties.

Halloween is truly one of my favorite holidays.  It is so much fun to come up with ideas and dress up and wear fun make up.  Joey really kicked ass with his costume and got a lot of attention on the streets for it.  But Joey always gets a lot of attention on the streets...

Halloween Part I

Oh, Sandy.

I was sitting with my coworkers one day before we opened the restaurant when my friend Kayla asked if we were all getting ready for the hurricane.  To which I replied "What hurricane?"

Sometimes not having a TV can be dangerous.  But in the day or so leading up to Sandy's arrival in NYC everyone was talking about it.  Although most people were talking about it like it would be no big deal, just like Irene last year.  I wasn't here for Hurricane Irene but I knew there had been a lot of build up for what appeared to be no more than a heavy storm that knocked down a few trees.  I don't think any of us were expecting the violent flooding and loss of power.  I definitely was not expecting to be stranded in a living room for five days with Joey.

Blame it on Sandy

I am blaming it on Sandy.  It seems that since the hurricane I have done a terrible job at updating my blog.  It's not because of anything hurricane-related, but pretty much since the hurricane started so did the shitshow of my life.  Everything changed in three months, which is incredibly awesome, if not a bit overwhelming.

Today, I am attempting to update my blog and catch you up on where I have been.  Here's a quick rundown with more details to follow in the individual blog posts:

I had a lot of issues at my apartment in Jersey that were not being dealt with by the management company.  Combined with the fact that I was getting pretty lonely on that side of the Hudson I was ready to get the eff out.  I was very up in the air about what I wanted to do, whether I was going to stay in NYC or not, and I had some great friends who offered to house me while I figured it out.  So, I spent a month being homeless and sleeping on April's couch in Washington Heights.  She and her husband totally saved me and I am forever grateful for their hospitality.  It was a very interesting experience to not have a place to call home and it changed me and taught me a lot about patience and accepting the situation you are in.

I eventually found a room in Brooklyn with Jess, a girl I worked with at Almond, and moved in right before coming home for Christmas.  I love where I live now and I love my roommates.

Around this same time I was getting really tired of serving and I needed a job change.  I knew that if I was going to stay in New York I wanted to get some different career experience.  I was incredibly lucky that I have made some great friends and connections that allowed me the opportunity to work at a film production company in Manhattan.

I am now 1 year and 3 months into my adventure here, and while I am not certain that NYC is the place for me forever, it is definitely a place that I am deeply in love with right now.  But like every passionate relationship, it certainly has its ups and downs.

City Life

Parker Posey walking her dog in Washington Square Park

Stratford Adventure!

My friend Eva, who I work with at Almond, asked me one day if I was interested in going on a Connecticut adventure with her and I immediately replied with a "Yes, I do."  It was perfect timing, I was really itching to get out of the city.  Her cousin was doing a fundraiser at a local bar to raise money to take part in the NYC Marathon. 

Almond NYC

Some of these pictures are repeats that I have posted on Facebook, but there are some new ones as well.  I just wanted to share a little bit about the restaurant I work at, Almond in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. 

It would be cheesy but not too much of a stretch to say that my life changed when I started working at Almond.  I was at a really low point when I started this job, had very few friends in the city, not much confidence, and even less of a social life.  I have been really blessed with all the people that I have met through Almond, coworkers and customers alike.  I absolutely love the people I work with and they are what keeps me going there six days a week.  I have made so many kind, talented, loving friends through this place. I met my bff, Joey, here and we can often be found here after work enjoying a cocktail or some of the amazing food.  It has become somewhat of a second home for me here. 

If I didn't work here I would definitely be a regular.  We have a great group of regulars who feel a bit like family.  It is such a warm atmosphere with a great vibe and cozy lighting.  It is Farm to Table dining and the food is incredible.  If you are in the city come visit!

Family, Friends, & Forest

It was time for a visit home again, I was missing Arizona and all the good things that come along with it.  This time I had a week to catch up withg my family and friends and enjoy the beautiful nature I had been missing so much. 

An Explorer at Heart

My incredibly frustrating battle to end my lease with this terrible management company brought me to a beautiful place today, the grand Hudson County Courts.  I was in awe of the architecture and columns on the outside of the buildings, but the murals and detail inside the buildings blew me away.  I felt like I was some place very important, and I guess in a sense I was.  But I am also easily impressed by old buildings due to the fact I grew up in a fairly young state.  It had the air of a place that required hushed tones and a calm demeanor. 

I received no solutions today but it did lead me to a new part of Jersey to explore and I set out for an adventure.  I decided to walk from Journal Square to Liberty Park which offered a beautiful view of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan.  It was an incredibly gorgeous day today, breezy and 72 degrees, partly cloudy and completely reviving. 

On my way to the park I happened to walk by an old cemetery, Jersey City Cemetery.  I could not resist a walk through the worn cobble stone paths along the overgrown grass and toppling headstones.  I love graveyards, I always have, and I can’t quite explain it…although, I don’t think I am alone in this fascination.  It is incredible to think of all the people here before us, to see the dates on the headstones and imagine their world, to see the grave of a young girl and imagine the heartache and circumstances surrounding her death.  I ponder the bones beneath the dirt, the souls that must still be lingering there.  Cemeteries bring out a peaceful reminiscence in me.  I spent a while walking along the paths, spooked by a little badger that kept running away from me, the only other movement besides the wind in the tall trees that extended over the headstones.  I donated to the fund for the upkeep of the cemetery, which indeed appeared to need some TLC.  Although the overgrown grass and the leaning headstones gave it a very real, very sad feel that seemed appropriate.  On my way out I was stopped by a police officer who had been directing traffic through the construction zone at the entrance.  He asked me if I knew the history of the cemetery and I told him I did not.  He said another officer wondered aloud if I knew someone buried there and he said I probably just wanted to look at the headstones.  I told him he was right and he pointed in the direction of a large mausoleum at the back of the property that was the resting place of thirty people who were infected with a plague, I do not recall if he told me dates but I imagine it was at least 100 years ago judging from the dates on the other graves.  He said no one knows who the people were, the grave is unmarked, and they put them there for fear of the disease spreading.  He also informed me that the high school across the street used to house slaves and that there was an underground tunnel from the high school that ran under the cemetery through to the railroad tracks on the other side.  I was so glad that this man had stopped me to tell me these stories, I think he was excited to share the history and glad that someone was interested and he thanked me for my donation.  My walk took me through the Historic District which seemed to be undergoing a lot of construction, but it was a lovely part of town with streets intersecting at odd angles and little cafes on the corner.

Liberty Park is along the water and a marina, it is huge and open and gorgeous.  Along the water there is a September 11 Memorial that I did not know about, but was very appropriate for me to run into considering tomorrow is the 11^th Anniversary of that day.  There is something about water that renews my spirit; maybe because I am a Pisces, or because my mother has a love affair with the beach, or because I grew up in a desert, but it always feels incredible to hear waves hitting a shore and to look out and see the rolling blue blanket, a wet version of the sky. 

I made my way back to Manhattan where the train dropped me by the World Trade Center; it was swarming with very bored looking people in suits and skirts headed for their commute home and a few tourists taking pictures of the Freedom Tower.  I joined the tourists and snapped a picture of the building whose progress I have watched since last year.  Right now at night it is lit up in horizontal sections of red, white, and blue and the twin lights shoot into the sky next to it.

 I sat down in Battery Park for the first time since the beginning of my adventure that day and had a snack while reading my book and watching the sunset.  I realized that it had been a long time since I had watched the sunset and it made me think of Maui.  When I spent two weeks in Maui a few years ago, sunset was my favorite time of day.  I would go out with my boogie board every evening just before and get in some time with the waves then sit on the beach or lounge on our lanai and watch the sun slowly melt into the water.  In Maui the beaches are filled with people at sunset just watching, paying their respect to the end of another day, taking a minute to stop, to contemplate, to breathe, to enjoy, to live.

It was a wonderful day and it left me feeling renewed.  I realized that nothing makes me feel more free than when I am in a new and unfamiliar place, alone and happy.

"I have SO much to tell you..."

...which is pretty much the way that all the conversations between me and Joey start.  Which is also why he is my best friend. Beacuse nothing is better than getting a text at 2 a.m. that says, "Are you awake? I have gossip."

Joey started working at the same restaurant as me about two weeks after I started.  We bonded over being new and talking shit about the people who were bitches to us for being new.  And also that we have the same hair.  I took over a table for him at work once and he had told them they wouldn't even notice the difference because their new server looked exactly like him.  Last night we went out after work and he told me he brought hairspray for both of us.  He is endlessly entertaining, incredibly innappropriate and he constantly has me giggling. 

I was so glad that my mom got to meet him when she visited. He served us when we had dinner at Almond and she loved him. She said she was glad I had found a friend like him here and he said "your mom is a fucking peach", which makes me love him even more. She really is a peach.

In this day and age (I wonder if there's a phrase I could use that could make me sound older) we are so used to texting people and are more likely to click "like" on a photo than to dial a friend's number, but Joey called me the first day he had my number. I remember being surprised as I answered expectantly, waiting for the important question that just couldn't wait for a text message response, or to hear the crazy story that required an audible reaction... but Joey was just calling to chat.  He makes an effort with people which is something I need to learn to do more.  He strives to be social and to connect with his friends and to do fun, new things. 

A night out with Joey is always a night to remember (even if I can't remember much).  He is so fun to party with and go out and run around New York City, but he is also extremely supportive and the closest thing I have to family here.  He has sat on the phone with me while I cried like a little bitch and has talked me through all the things I was dealing with.  He makes me feel strong and confident and understood.  I credit him for playing a big part in me finding myself and my confidence; he has helped me come out of my shell. 

A couple of weeks ago a coworker had asked me how long we have been friends and was surprised when she heard we had only met at work a few months ago. She said we seemed to have such a tight bond and I told her we do.  I am lucky to have him in my life. 

Love you, Joey!

Mom Goes to NYC: Part Three

No trip to New York is complete without a visit to Central Park, one of the most magical places I have ever been.  It is amazing how the city disappears as soon as you walk in.  It is amazing to me that there was enough foresight to not turn this prime real estate in the middle of Manhattan into highrises.  Central Park is vital to the city and the wellbeing of all who live here.  It is a necessary escape from the hectic pace of city life.  When you see all the people relaxing and enjoying the park you realize that there is something inside of us that craves nature. 

At lunch before the Park.

Mom Goes to NYC: Part Two

After a long day of sightseeing and lots of walking the day before we decided to take it easy and head to Coney Island for a beach day.  But first, Brunch!  Brunch is a BIG deal in NYC.  Unfortunately, I am usually working it, but today I got to enjoy mimosas and omelettes with my mama.  We enjoyed a little stroll through Washington Square Park on our way to brunch. 

Mom Goes to NYC: Part One

Just a couple weeks ago my mom called me and asked if she could come visit.  Of course, I was elated and said, "YES!".  I wasn't expecting her to come and visit until October, so this was a great surprise.  My mom is my best friend and I have missed her so much!  I really, really needed some mom time.  It felt so good having her here, I don't think I realized how lonely I had been. 

I can remember conversations, before I even thought about moving here, about how New York City was a place she never really cared to visit.  I am lucky to be raised in a nature-loving family and the beach is really more my Mom's style.  But like a lot of people, myself included, she had limited visions of a New York City that was far crazier and hectic and crowded...basically, Times Square everywhere.  I knew that she would love it and be surprised at how much beauty this city has to offer.

 She flew in late afternoon and I met her at the airport.  We made our way into the city together and, with bags in tow, went off in search of an amazing Chinese restaurant that I ate at once.  Unfortunately, I never found it and I ended up walking her around too much, but she was a good sport and eventually we found another Chinese restaurant that is now my favorite (Great Sichuan 26th/3rd).  We had sesame beef, orange chicken, and this amazing bok choy.  It started pouring outside, and of course these two Arizona girls did not have their umbrellas, so we waited it out and left when it was just sprinkling to began the journey to West New York!

WNY

Life in West New York.  My home.

Shit I like

Scottley Comes to NYC

So, Scott came a really long time ago, weeks, months...but I forgot to post about his visit because he is stupid.  But, I love his ridiculously handsome brothers so I will share some photos. 

Scott was my verrrrrrrry first boyfriend...unless you count Shawn in 6th grade, which I don't because I broke up with him after a week when I found out he was mormon.  Scott used to live in my parent's neighborhood and he now lives in Chicago.  His brother, Shane, lives in NYC and Christopher, the youngest brother from AZ, came to visit at the same  time as Scott.  They were nice enough to let me hang out, so I crashed some of their brother weekend fun.

Highlights of the visit:  pickle martinis, visiting Shane at the Standard and getting rained on when it started to pour, my first visit to a gay bar (Metro...I left with bruises?), Christopher checking out every man that walked by, and some bombass popcorn... 

It was fabulous company, they are some entertaining boys.   

Bah. Adorable!

PRIDE

I guess I am pretty behind in my posting because I just looked up the date of the Pride Parade and it took place June 24.  But I knew the second I came upon the parade that I was going to have to share this with you because it was one of the most uplifting experiences I have had since being in the city.  I was working the morning of the parade, but was happy to see patrons coming in wearing their rainbow gear.  During Pride week the Empire State Building was even lit up with the colors of the rainbow.  A couple coworkers of mine had the opportunity to take part in the parade, and I was sad that I was going to miss it while at work.  However, when I got off I saw some commotion a couple blocks away and decided to walk towards it.  I I could instantly feel the joy in the air, it was electric. There were so many people wearing fun and crazy outfits, waving their flags, laughing, talking, drinking, taking pictures.  I literally got goosebumps walking down the street along the parade route seeing all the smiling faces celebrate love and acceptance.  There were all kinds of people there, gay couples, straight couples, families, groups of friends; there to show their support.  It was so pure.