I'm officially employed!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Well, the interview that I had went very well and I am now officially employed in a full time position. An adult job. Yay! I'm working as a receptionist at a post house which edits commercials and promos, some of which I'm sure many of you have seen. Today is day three of the job and I'm beginning to get the hang of it. The most difficult part is answering the phones and trying to transfer calls and remember all these names of people I don't know yet. I'm feeling more comfortable every day and I'm sure I'll have it down in no time.

Now that I have officially landed a grown-up job, the search for a good apartment begins! I started looking last night and have a few agents who can show to me, now the only problem is finding the time! I'm working from 9-7 three days a week and 9-6 for two. The client services guy switches off with me because he goes to culinary school in the evening. The hours are long but that's ok because I get overtime. Yay for making money! Now I just have to wait for my first paycheck...


Thanksgiving in Virginia was lovely. It was great to get away and the food was delicious! I'm really looking forward to going home though. I can't believe I've been away for seven months; I think that's the longest I've ever been gone from home! Yay for Christmas! I hope I get to see New York's first snow before I go, but somehow I don't anticipate the temperature dropping fifteen degrees in the next two weeks. But who knows with New York weather?

I'm excited because tomorrow I'm going on another date with the guy from last week who I really liked- not one of the assholes I mentioned in my earlier blogs. Finally, things are turning around in all aspects of life!

And....the news is good!!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Well I had my big interview today. It went really well, though he seemed to have some reservations. His first was, "You may need to be in this receptionist position for 12 to 18 months before any change. I hope you can be patient." I told him I have been working for seven months for free and that he doesn't have anything to worry about. He also seemed worried that I may not get along well with the editors because they are really artsy. I feel like when people first meet me their brains automatically go straight to "dumb blond" and then they are surprised to discover that I'm actually very intelligent. I told him I spent the past five years in film school hanging out with artsy kids. Honestly, I'm a nerd; I'll fit right in.

The agency called me and told me he liked me. Yay! It's a temp-to-hire position so I'll come in for a few days before I leave for Christmas break and if they like me I'll start working there in January. But what's not to like? I've been going to post houses for a while and it's where I want to be. I'm sure that will come through.

Finally!!! SOMETHING. It does seem odd that out of all of my industry connections and all of the work I have done as an intern that I would find employment through a temp agency-and in my industry no less.

I'll be sad to leave the post house I'm interning for now. I've gotten to know a few of the editors and I really like it there. The other intern "B" and I have become great friends as well, and I'm happy to be staying there until the middle of December at least. But it does feel good to know that I'll be making money soon.

Now if I can only find an apartment that's not a hole....

A New Chapter

Sunday, November 21, 2010

How do I even begin to recap the past two months? I find myself avoiding this page just because I anticipate that writing about the sheer amount of information will be incredibly daunting. I suppose it would be easiest to approach it as I would a college paper: with a thesis, a detailed outlining of points, and then a conclusion which reiterates my overall hypothesis. Hmm. Well. The thesis of this paper will be this: While these past few months in the city have been incredibly stressful due to my current employment status and a series of awful dates, recent events have left me hopeful for the future and I look forward to taking the next step in my life, whatever that may be.

Point number one: A recapping of the past month in terms of employment and job search.

I returned from Scotland ready to begin working on a project for a senior person at the place of my internship. I was to edit a bar mitzvah video for a friend of his, the VP of another department. No problem. I'm a good editor and I've worked on family videos in the past (many of which I'm sure some of you have seen) and I knew that I was the right person for this job. After collecting an incredible amount of home video footage and pictures, I cut together a solid piece using company graphics and current music. For a family viewing, it would be ideal. It took me about two weeks after which I was ready to move on. I had met with a temp agency on my first week back from Scotland and had been looking forward to the end of the bar mitzvah project so that I could begin making some money by temping. This, however, did not go as I had planned. The senior person who had put me in contact with the VP had decided that he wanted the video to have more pizzazz (why his involvement with another person's family video was necessary, I am still pondering) and had other interns pulling tapes and trying to find footage from past shows to incorporate. Now, let me reiterate that the video was fine as is and did not need a bunch of random stuff added which would just add time to an already long piece. I began to feel extremely frustrated at the situation. I approached the VP who I was making the video for, expressed my frustration and asked for extra compensation since I would be putting in an extra two weeks on the project. It was then that he told me he had been thinking that $500 was the amount he wanted to pay. For four weeks of work.

Here's a lesson I learned with this. Set a rate before you begin working. Just because you like and respect the people you are working for doesn't mean you don't deserved to be paid for the time, effort, and talent you are putting into the project. Stand up for yourself, and don't allow people to walk all over you.

In the end, the VP agreed with me that the new ideas were superfluous and detracted from the video. So really, not much was accomplished in the extra two weeks. The final payment was $750. I was very grateful that he upped the compensation, but I still felt as though I would have liked to have earned about $2,000. After adding up all expenses which this VP didn't have to pay had he been paying a non-discounted rate ($650 a day for an editor, $350 an hour for voice-over, $350 an hour for sound mixing, not to mention rights to music and show graphics) it was determined that he got a 95% discount. That's a lot of money he saved for a very good product. I can safely say that I walked away from the project having learned a few valuable lessons. But I can tell you that the size of the smile I had on my face after exiting the building for what might be the last time was enormous. The ending of a chapter with a company who did not live up to my expectations and who did not give me what I feel I deserved from them: employment. I took my 750 dollars of cash and handed it straight to my landlord. Another lesson learned: money goes quickly. I was holding four weeks of compensation in my hands for 45 minutes before I had spent it. Welcome to the real world.

Point number two: men in New York are assholes. But they make for good blog updates.

Bad guy scenario #1: The overtly-sexual guy.

Where do I even begin with this one? I suppose I'll start with a "friend" of mine called "R." R is one of the friends I made during my first internship in New York. I had just happened to run into him at one of my old haunts, Tortilla Flats. We went out one time to a place called 230 5th, which is a beautiful rooftop bar with an awesome view of the Empire State. But I just don't feel...romantically interested in him. It was two or so months later that I received a text for him while I was at the office.

"Can I ask you a question?" it said. "Are you a lesbian?"

My response, "No I'm not."

"Oh, that is funny because when I meet you I think you are lesbian," (Spanish accent). "I try to kiss you but you don't seem interested so I think you are lesbian."

I'm already off-put by someone that would think that just because a girl isn't interested in him that that must mean she must be into women. What an ass right? It gets better.

"Because I have this friend who is bi and I tell her I know a lesbian who would have threesome with her."

The assumption here is unbelievable.

"So you are not lesbian?"

"No."

"Ok, because I have to tell her that you are not interested but I tell her already that you want to have threesome."

I don't respond.

"Unless you still want to have threesome?"

Now, for those of you that know me, I think you'll agree with me that I don't come off as the type of person who is open for threesomes. Or casual sex, for that matter. The lesbian thing I understand; I've gotten that before and I generally don't have much of a reaction when uninteresting people come onto me.

"No, not interested."

I can't recall exactly how that conversation ended, but I have not talked to him since.

Bad guy scenario #1: The biggest asshole ever guy.

It was a Wednesday night and I went out with a friend of mine, "V", who I met at Cafe Lalo, to a cigar bar on the east side. After my lungs adjusted to the smoke, I thought the place was pretty cool. It was underground and had red lounge chairs everywhere. It was very swanky and felt very...old Hollywood 1920's. V and I sat down at the bar. The guy next to me (obviously drunk) began having a conversation with us. Well, I guess you couldn't really call it a conversation as much as an...insult....session...?

(In a British accent) "Your friend is really much sexier than you are. She has smoldering eyes. You....you're very generic. You have issues with your hair. And are those tights or stockings? Stalkings are sexier."

Well, obviously I didn't take any of this to heart as he was obviously drunk and obnoxious. But I did turn on the bitch. I can't quite recall what exactly I did say to him, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't nice. At which point he continued the insults and called me selfish. The bartender asked me if I had a problem. I told him this guy was being as asshole. And he was promptly removed from the bar. Tee hee hee. Jerk.

After that rather insulting half-hour, I met a guy named "B" who seemed a little bit off...but who I was still willing to talk to because he was tall and good looking. I gave him my number and went on a date with him this past Tuesday. You won't believe this one.

Bad guy scenario #3: The boring yet presumptuous guy.

We met at a wine bar called Wine and Roses. Beautiful little spot that I would love to visit again with different company. We talked....kind of. I asked him a lot of questions and he asked me....if I like Steinbeck (my most hated author). On occasion he would look off in the distance as if he was contemplating something....but now I believe he was just staring. Turns out he's 40 (looks 30), works on the trading floor, travels to Paris often, owns multiple properties...basically has all the elements of someone date-able. But I can't even convey to you how awful the conversation was. There were multiple awkward silences and I felt like I was asking so many questions just to keep up any kind of conversation whatsoever. Meanwhile he asked nothing about me...an obvious red flag.

We left Wine and Roses and walked up to this wine bar called Tolani (which I adore) for another glass. I had been there once before and the owners are wonderful and the place is charming. But all of that was dulled down by the dolt which was sat on the bar stool next to me. The conversation continued to lag. I had to get up early the next morning so I began the "Ok, I really need to get home now" speech. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just shy or really introverted. He and I are both leaving the day before Thanksgiving for vacation and he was trying to figure out when he could see me again.

"Call me when you get back from Paris and we can meet up then."

"No, why not this weekend?"

"I have plans. It's only couple of days."

"What am I supposed to jerk off for five days?"

Dead silence. What? Did I hear that right? Let me find out.

"I'm sorry?"

"I think that means the same thing in English as it does in Swiss." (He's Swiss).

"Ok....I have to go to the bathroom."

I went over to the owner and told him what this jerk had said. I also told him to put all of my wine on his tab. The owner asked me if I needed help with the guy. Oh no. I can handle this dick myself.

We left the restaurant and he was still trying to get me to go to another bar. I refused and he seemed pissed. So I went home. The next day he texted me and told me I was very nice and he had a great time. I did not text him back.

Bad guy scenario #4: The guy who just doesn't care.

I had met a guy called "A" one night while on my way home. I remember him being very attractive, sweet, and almost younger. An actor who graduated from the Tisch school at NYU (an incredibly difficult program to get into) I was very intrigued by our similar interests.

We met up a few days later in Riverside park to walk his dog. He was nothing like I remember at our first meeting (I blame the vodka). He was born and raised in New York, an only child, lives with his parents, and works as a bouncer. He said things like, "I'm sure I could get an agent if I wanted to, but I'm just lazy" and "I hate living at home, and I keep my room messy because I don't care, but I don't want to live with my parents anymore. I stay because its easy and I don't have to pay rent."

So basically he's a very lucky guy who is too lazy to make anything of himself? Unattractive. He was another one of those who asked me no questions and we found ourselves walking in silence for much of the time. On a first date. Not good. Plus he was just very inconsiderate. We were stopped at a light and I bent down to get something out of my shoe. The light turned green and he was already across the street before I even realized what happened. That's not lack of chivalry, that's just lack of respect. So I told him I had to meet a friend for drinks. And I haven't talked to him since either.

In conclusion, good men in New York are incredibly difficult to find. No wonder everyone is single here. I've never had so much trouble. But then again perhaps I've never dated this much. I've had three dates this past week. But I digress. Let me move on to the more positive developments in my life, beginning with my professional life.

Point number three: Developments on the job front.

Through a friend I know at an edit facility I was offered an internship. It's not a job, but its another step. I began interning at the edit house last week. The studio manager says she gets job inquiries on a weekly basis from people at places like Animal Planet and USA. I figured if I took the internship for a few days a week my face would be remembered and I would get to know editors and be able to sit in on their sessions. Since I'm really interested in becoming an editor, I think this is a good step for me. The internship isn't glamorous; it's mostly just making sure that the candy in the edit suites are stocked and making sure that clients are treated well. But I feel as though it's a step in the right direction, or at least I'm not just working at a restaurant. It does have its perks. I get lunch everyday and they pay for my metro card ($89 a month). Plus they have fruit trays and stuff sometimes so I don't really have to spend money on food.

In addition to this internship, I've begun temping. Nothing too exciting. I have a job on Monday that pays $10 an hour to organize boxes. But that's $60 I didn't have before. I just have to look at it positively. But the good news is that they found a boutique edit facility that is looking to hire a full-time office assistant. I have an interview with them early this week and I'm really looking forward to it. It will be one of the first industry interviews I've had. I'm hopeful about that, but I'm not expecting anything. Whenever I get too excited about stuff it just seems to fall through.

Point number four: Upcoming trips.

On Wednesday I'm taking the Bolt Bus to D.C to spend Thanksgiving with my extended family. I'm sad I will miss the annual "Turkey Bowl" that my family does on Thanksgiving morning, but it will be very nice to visit my family and I really look forward to a big Thanksgiving, which I never really have.

I leave mid-December to go home for Christmas and I'll be there for three weeks. Yay! It will be my first time home since leaving for New York and I think it will be really good to get back, but I worry about my room being so empty without Sara (my late kitty). I'll get to see her grave for the first time. It will also be the first time in eighteen years that I will sleep in that room without her tucked under my arm. But on a good note, I'll get to see my dog and other cats who I love. And I'll get to see my sisters who I haven't seen in almost 7 months (the longest I've gone without seeing them). I'll return to the city in January, where I'll be back to the grind and stressfulness of finding employment in this economy.

Point number five: A good date.

And I come to the last topic of my "paper": the excellent date I had last night. That's right. A good one. I met him yesterday at a restaurant in Chelsea where K and I were having brunch. Right away I thought he was gay. I mean, we were in Chelsea and he was tall, had a ridiculously good body and an excellent sense of style. Anyways, turns out he's not and he asked for my number. We went out last night for drinks and had such a great conversation. We talked about religion and history and movies and sci-fi and X-files and acting and technique and food and wine and lounges. We have so much in common and he is so interesting. He's very involved in the acting community and spends a great deal of his time in the artistic lower east side, a place I've been wanting to spend more time but haven't really ever been to. It was only a first date, but I look forward to seeing him again, though I feel he is too good looking for me.

So, in conclusion, this city has proven to be very stressful to me lately, though from the stress I have learned many valuable lessons and my life is moving forward. To quote Chumbawamba (that's right, Chumbawamba) "I get knocked down, but I get up again," because if you don't you'll live your life laying down.

Here's a link to a song I listen to when I need to feel inspired:

It's Amazing.

Back to the city

Monday, October 18, 2010


Well, Scotland was fun. It was very good to relax. And sleep. The countryside there is so beautiful. Everywhere you look there are miles of green grass, sheep eating the grass, and old stone walls which were built hundreds of years ago. It's interesting to go from a place where you could drive for miles and not see another person to a place where you can't help but bump into them on the street. While I love New York, I really enjoyed the tranquility of the countryside. Many of the trees had just begun to turn and there were many shades of yellow and orange and red...all the reasons I love fall!

I really think one of my favorite parts of the trip was going to the highlands, mostly because we stayed in this unpronounceable bed and breakfast called the Tigh Na Bruach. The woman who runs it, Catherine, is as sweet as she can be and everything was perfect. She even had sherry and chocolates in each room....major plus for me! We stayed there for two nights and from there went on the Harry Potter train. Very cool! It was exactly like the Hogwarts Express. It's too bad my sister wasn't there; she loves Harry Potter. Above is a picture we took while going over the viaduct which is used for filming in the second film.

It's nice to retire to the country...but I couldn't help but notice the extreme differences between Scotland and the city. Many of the stores, for example, are only open for a few hours day. It felt like every time I went downtown to buy something specific....there was a closed sign, even though it was 1pm. Hm. In New York you can buy anything at anytime. In fact, you can have anything delivered at anytime. What's even more strange are the people. Everything is no. No, no, NO!

My parents and I walked into a really cute tea house for afternoon tea. The host said he could seat us but, "had no soup" as if implying we wouldn't want to go there if there because of that. Another time, my mom asked the bartender what a certain beer was like....as in an ale or a lager, and he looked at her like she was stupid and responded, "it's like beer." Asshole. I didn't even want to ask him what the menu meant when it said a "round" of sandwiches (turns out...its just a sandwich that's been cut).

Speaking of the bars....what the heck is up with Smirnoff? Everywhere you go that's the ONLY vodka they have. In the states it's considered to be the lowest you can get....besides PopOv that is. I mean I just look at a Smirnoff bottle and years of college binge drinking hangovers come to mind. That's enough to make me sick right there. So while I'm not a big fan of beer, I drank water when my parents went out for their pint. Sorry Smirnoff, but you're not on my good list.

I met a 20 year old kid who was working as a bartender in a worn-down pub. He had chosen not to go to college but was very excited because he was going to begin work with his father laying pipes. And that's him for the rest of his life. It's really interesting how different people of the same age can turn out isn't it?

I arrived back to the city yesterday. I'm very happy to be back. After I got home, I went for a little walk through my neighborhood and did some people watching. Certainly very different from the people of Scotland, that's for sure. It's like a new start all over again. I'm editing a Bar Mitzvah video for a friend's friend at work...but except for that....I really don't have anything going on. I spent some time this afternoon sending in applications to temp companies and head hunting firms. Hopefully I'll be able to at least interview with some of these companies...maybe get some advice. It's difficult to know where to turn next, but I guess I'll just have to keep trying. I'll start looking for another serving job I suppose, but I am NOT going back to Cafe Lalo. That reminds me, I still need to call the labor department about him.

Alright. I'm off. Just finishing my Starbucks green tea at 81st and Broadway. After this I suppose I'll go home, I am jet-lagged after all.

A California Girl in Scotland

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

So at the request of my cousin, I'm giving you all an update on my life. Allow me to recap....

It was all brilliant news when I learned a few weeks ago that I had been hired by the department I interned for to do some temporary production assistant work on a short project. Hell ya! I was pumped. I worked on the project consistently for two weeks. I was told that I would be able to work through October- not a permanent position but enough to get my feet in the door.

This position had me terribly excited also because I knew I would have to quit Cafe Lalo (in order to work full time at the company). I marched down the steps into the office and told my manager at Lalo that I was not going to be able to work anymore (yay!!!) I was leaving for Scotland on the 27th with my parents. I had managed to find a week to take off. I really needed the break and was looking forward to having a brief vacation and coming back to a job....even a temporary one.

As luck would have it, I was on my way to the airport when I decided to check my phone and found that the company wasn't unable to budget the project which I was to work on and that I can't really continue coming into the office unpaid.

I went to the airport.
I checked my bag.
I headed for the gate.
I found the nearest wine bar and proceeded to drink a glass and try a round of pinot's (on the house of course).

It has been a little over a week and I've come to terms with the fact that where I had two jobs a few weeks ago....I now have none. After a few deep breaths (and a few more glasses of wine, I'll add) I think that this is just a hiccup in the job search and hopefully I'll be able to find something. Soon. Right?

When I get back to the city, I've decided to go the route of temp agencies and head hunters. As my friend has said to me many times, "no one said this would be easy." It's definitely proving not to be. Not at all.

Onto Scotland. While I was originally supposed to be here for just a week, my stay has now been extended to three....it's not like I have a job to go back to. We've been staying in the quint town of Moffat, a very lively town of 2,000 friendly and outgoing residents. Sense the sarcasm.

It's cold and rainy, but there have been a few good days; we've even managed to see some sun! My parents were generous enough to take me shopping for winter clothes, which I'll need in New York, and it's been awesome catching up on sleep, though I have been sick every day thus far.

Currently, we're staying in Keswick, a little town in "the lake district" of England. It's really beautiful here. Scenery is fantastic and there are sheep everywhere! Black sheep and white sheep, black sheep with whote faces and white sheep with black faces. Really cute! The hotel we're staying in really reminds me of the house where the film Atonemnet was shot. Really beautiful. And huge!

Tomorrow it's back to Moffat and onto more pubs, and....well, making fun of the Scottish!

And Alec Baldwin spoke to me!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Its Sunday in New York and dark clouds have settled over the skyscrapers, a shade much different from our recent sunny streak, but welcome nonetheless. It makes me feel happy to be sitting inside drinking coffee and reading; the way a Sunday should be spent really.

Things have been moving in an awesome direction recently. My freelance editing and production assistant positions are both in full swing, and I'm finally making money in the industry I want to be in. Yay! Also I'm pulling in about a hundred four nights a week from Cafe Lalo, and it's so nice to have cash. Speaking of the cafe, we had a lovely guest on Thursday night. Alec Baldwin came in to eat! He was accompanied by some blond and they ordered frozen yogurt and berries. They didn't stay too long, but we were all pretty excited about it. It was about 11pm so there weren't many other customers in the restaurant. A, the girl who was serving him, is apparently a huge fan and was shaking with nervousness the entire time. While she was serving another table, he waved me over. I was so excited! I tried to act like I had no idea who he was, though I'm sure he knew we all knew, and he asked me.....for the check. But it was totally cool because we made eye contact and everything! I was only like two feet away. Wow. Cool night. Apparently celebrities are known to come in from time to time. Alec Baldwin has been in before and so has Scarlett Johansson. I would have loved to see her!

Much to my dismay, I spent the entire afternoon yesterday sleeping. I suppose that's what happens when you work from 10:30am until 2:00am. But K and I went and treated ourselves to a mani-pedi and dinner at Blossom, my new favorite vegan restaurant. Their food is amazing and they make the best cappuccino I've ever had. It felt good for both of us to spend some time together and treat ourselves to something. It's awesome that we're making money, but neither of us has had much time to spend any of it.

After dinner we went "bar hopping." I use quotation marks to emphasize the fact that this activity was not as fun as it could have been. What do you do in a bar with just two people anyway? We went to about six bars and somehow stayed out until 2am even though the late night was largely uneventful.

This weekend was nice and relaxing but tonight starts the beginning of another busy week of working two jobs! Oh how fun it is to pay your dues...

Today is better than yesterday

Thursday, September 9, 2010

I'm at the office gearing up for a late night at the cafe. But I've got some pretty exciting news!

Yesterday, the artist Sia was in the building and I got to watch her perform a few songs on the floor below me. That was pretty cool. Sometimes artists that come into the building do small performances for the staff. Earlier this summer Hanson was here....but honestly I wasn't that interested in hearing now grown men sing mmbop. But I was quite start struck with Sia so I put her latest CD on my ipod when I got home last night. I've been so worried about finding employment and having to work at the cafe forever that last night I needed a break and I bought a bottle of wine. Low and behold today I got hired as a freelance production assistant to help some higher-ups on a new project. Yay! Hopefully that will turn into something more! For now I'm really excited and I feel a lot more secure about everything. Now for my current list of goals:

1. Get a full-time position which will allow me to quit Lalo and develop a regular shcedule
2. Move into an apartment which feels like a home and not a campground
3. Furnish that apartment and decorate it so it feels even more like a home (and so it's nice to drink tea in a chair)
4. .......whatever comes next after those things.....

We'll see how everything goes!

It's September

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Hello all,
It is officially September in New York. The weather has cooled...slightly, and things are moving along...slowly. I'm still working at Cafe Lalo though I look forward to the day I can quit. Things are done very backward at that place and I can't help but wish to be employed elsewhere.

My friend N (the one who just moved to New York) has just informed me that she got a job with Marc Jacobs and is moving into a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment. I can't help but examine my living-in-a-hole-working-in-a-restaurant-what-am-I-really-doing-here-in-New-York-anyway-life. I'm waiting to hear back about the position I applied for, though my fingers aren't exactly crossed. I feel my confidence fading and my jealousy of N rising (though I am happy for her, of course). I spent this weekend doing....not much. I've been getting back into a more stable work out routine and took my first yoga class in like 3 years (which I'm STILL sore from). I'm going to try to come into the office five days a week as it seems both of the fall interns have backed out and they will need someone to be here. For now I guess I'm feeling....stagnant.

Or maybe I just haven't been consuming enough vodka.

A woman on the elevator....

Monday, August 30, 2010

This weekend was largely uneventful. I spent all of my downtime cleaning, doing laundry, getting organized, and recovering from being sick. I went to the clinic inside of Duane Reade up the street from my office. Of course, they tried to stick needles in me LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO!! She thought that maybe I had mono. Obviously, I did not allow her to finger prick me (who does that?) and she gave me an antibiotic instead, which has helped tremendously. I was able to make it to the gym this weekend for the first time in over a week, and I made a little bit of money at the cafe. Rent is paid, and I'm ready for September. I heard somewhere that it's one of the most beautiful months in the city. The weather has warmed up again, and I'm excited to enjoy summer's last hours before fall.

I had a really interesting experience on Friday night. I had seen my friend N that afternoon (she just moved here after finishing grad school at BU) and K went out to a friend's birthday party. I went downstairs to pick up a package my mom had sent me. I was on my way back up the elevator when this woman started talking to me. She was talking about film and art school and movies...bla bla bla. She ended up getting out of the elevator with me and talking to me in the hallway in front of my apartment for THREE HOURS! Seriously. I was still talking to her when K got back from her party. While I found the woman (who was in her sixties) very interesting....I didn't exactly want to be standing there for that long. I needed to catch up on my sleep!! She told me about all the famous movie directors she has slept with...and talked a lot about astrology....it was weird. I feel like in a way I was meant to meet this woman. I really enjoy the company of older friends and perhaps I'll have a new one in her. But next time I'll make sure there are chairs around, and that I have a reason to leave early.

On a positive note, I've managed to be hired as a freelance editor for a few days at the company I'm interning for. Yay! It will be nice to put something new on my resume. I'm just working on a project for them today and tonight it's off to Cafe Lalo to work. Hopefully I'll make some money!

Inside I'm fainting and outside it's gloomy.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Its been a rainy few days. I like this because I've come down with a cold and would prefer to stay in bed reading than be outside and if it was sunny I would feel guilty for staying in. I really didn't do much this weekend.

On Friday I went to Cafe Lalo for my second day of training. 7pm-4am. Long shift! I met a few girls who I really like and I enjoyed spending time with them. The servers do very little compared to my old restaurant job in California, except that it is usually very busy as it is a famous restaurant. Staying up until 4am, however, is very brutal. I was meant to go in on Saturday as well for my last day of training but I wasn't feeling well and stayed home instead. I arrived at 7pm last night to make up for Saturday. I had stayed in bed all day yesterday until 6pm just sleeping and trying to feel better. Not fifteen minutes into the shift I was convinced I was dreaming and only realized I wasn't when I felt a bunch of hands on me. I had fainted and the other servers caught me as I was going down. They sat me down and I drank a glass of sugar water. I left for the day and will still need to make up that last training day, though I am already scheduled to work Thursday and Sunday of this week. It was truly an embarrassing experience.

Rain is the forecast for the rest of the week. I really don't mind it right now. I wish my apartment was a little cozier and a little less....bare. I'm excited to see how fall looks in NYC. I can't believe I'm already heading into my third month here. Perhaps a career is around the corner?

And I'm now employed

Friday, August 20, 2010

I took Tuesday off from my internship to search for jobs and interviewed for a hostess position and Cafe Lalo. I truely didn't expect to hear back, as no one has hired me thus far, so I was very surprised when they called me on Wednesday and asked me to come in as a server. Of course I said yes. I love Cafe Lalo. Their food is spectacular, organic, and fresh, and it is the cutest little place. Only problem is, their hours are very long. Nine hours a shift. I have three training days before I actually get to move onto the floor and yesterday was my first. I was on my feet from 8 to 5 and really didn't participate in anything too spectacular. Compared to my last serving job, these girls do nothing. All they do, truly, is take orders and run food. I can do that. The outfits are kind of ugly though (black miniskirts with pink leggings and white tops during the day), but the good news is it's only four blocks from my apartment. I can do that. The bad new is night shifts are generally from 7pm to 4am. That's what I'll be working today, after my internship. Its a 16 hour workday. Welcome to the real world right? Then tomorrow I work the same shift and then I'll officially be able to take my own tables. Good. Some money. FINALLY!

Now....about that career of mine....?

Allow myself to talk about.....myself...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Boy is there lot to catch up on. First of all...

Today I took the day off to, once again, apply for jobs! Yay!.....not. I went to two places this morning, neither of which were hiring. Then the next two I went to (the two I really wanted to work for) were closed. I was giving up and going home when I got a phone call from a casting agency through which I had applied to be an extra. Or so I thought. I know how the extra thing works. You show up, meet with the AD or whoever is in charge, sign a contract saying you will be where you need to be at the right time. Spend the day doing the same thing over and over, and walk away with a few hundred dollars. I can do that. And I have friends who have. So, I lugged myself onto the subway down to Penn Station where the building is. I went to the second floor and waited in the office while filling out the "application" (which included height, weight, and measurements....not something a girl wants to admit to. Unless they are Adriana Lima.) After reciting a clearly memorized five minute dialogue, most of which I couldn't hear due to his speed of speech, I told the man there was no way I was paying 100 dollars to have someone take pictures of me. He tried other ways to convince me. I declined and tried to leave, but he gestured that I was to meet with another guy, in the next office.....ok..... I sat an waited for him. He came out and brought me in to talk about the same thing, I guess. I told him I had no idea what the other guy had said and that I was totally confused; this isn't how extra casting works. He was quick to tell me he liked my look, thought I had modeling potential and wanted to get started on pictures today. "Look," he said, "these girls even made it into playboy." Gosh just what I've always wanted!! Not. I told him I wasn't interested and left through the back door....which was really difficult to find.

After feeling completely freaked out by that experience and ultimately discouraged from my job hunt earlier in the day, I went back home for a break. My friend KS sent me a bunch of online job postings, so I took an hour to apply to all of those, and then I headed back out to interview at Cafe Lalo for a hostess position. I am completely in love with this restaurant and I would love to work there! Not as much as I would like and actual career job, but still. The interview seemed to go well, but then again they all do. I can only cross my fingers and wait. For now, I'm having a glass of wine and waiting for 5pm to roll around so I can move on to my next restaurant. Blah.

I suppose in addition to this lovely information I should fill you in on what else has been going on with my life. Well, my birthday was alright. My friend J and I went to a picnic in the park and drank a bottle of wine. That was good. That night I went to Delancey with K and J. It's difficult to have a party when you don't know many people in the city. Doubly difficult to have one at a club where three others are also celebrating and have all of their friends. Regardless, I had people buy my drinks all night long and, as a result, didn't feel my best on Saturday morning.

That Saturday was even worse because (I was hungover), our AC had broken and the hot water in our bath was running nonstop. Bother. Our apartment was like a sauna. The super came and was able to get the water to stop running, but he had to take the handle off of the faucet. I went to brush my teeth and when I turned the handle on the sink water burst through the wall where the handle on the bath used to be and shot across the room with the power of a fire hose. K and I were practically dying laughing on the floor in the heat of our apartment. We decided to get the hell out of there and go somewhere cool where we could drink iced water.

The next Sunday, K and I went to go to Fairway to get some groceries for the week when we saw a black dresser sitting on the corner of the street just a block from our apartment. "Can we take this?" she asked. We gave each other a knowing glance, and then proceeded to try and carry the very heavy dresser to our front door. It took a few trips, as the two of us couldn't stop laughing at each other carrying the dead weight, but we eventually made it to our building. W, the doorman, quickly came out and asked us what we were doing. We told him we found this dresser and wanted to take it upstairs. He looked at us in disbelief when we told him we had carried it by ourselves but then helped us get it to the elevator on a dolly, all the while looking over his shoulder in case his boss might see him ushering furniture through the front door rather than the back.

So now we have a new dresser in our apartment, which is awesome because we needed more space. The AC has been fixed because our super found a new one for us (though its so loud its difficult to sleep). Minus the job hunt, things are moving along I suppose. I am beginning to fear that I'll have to move back to California sooner than I wanted because of my lack of employment. The more difficult it is, the more frustrated I get and when I get frustrated I tend to fall into a "just give up" sort of attitude. I know I shouldn't, it's just my nature. Wish me luck these next few weeks. With the other interns gone and the fiscal year ending for the company I'm interning for, maybe there is a possibility I could get hired there, which is what I really want. Or else I can just go work for an escort company. Or a foot fetish one (really weird by the way). They, at least, all seem to make good money.

My last day as a 22 year old.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

So I'm at the office. Just finished editing our intern video. We have a little more work to do on Monday but otherwise we're pretty much done. Yay! And next week is the other interns' last week and then it will just be me. I've worked out a system so that in September I can still come in two days a week, even without my ID card. I'm sad it's already over, I love working here.

I have a few more job leads but nothing I'm crossing my fingers for. I'm not convinced I'll EVER be employed again. Or at least not in this city. I'm taking Tuesday off next week to go door to door at different restaurants in my neighborhood. Bore.

I'm also taking tomorrow off because its my birthday. The big 23. Ugh. That's mid-twenties. I can't believe how fast time goes. My friend J doesn't start work until Monday so he's gonna spend the day with me. I think we might do the cheesy stuff: a picnic in central park, a row boat....that kind of thing. Then tomorrow night people are going to The Delancey, as I mentioned before. That should be fun I suppose. I'm big into birthdays. I wish I was celebrating it at home with my family.

Summer is nearing its end and I have to start preparing for the fall. Fall in New York, doesn't that sound lovely? I've been waiting for the day I could see Central Park in the fall. Also, I'm going to D.C. for Thanksgiving which will be fun but I'll miss being in California. Its kind of a tradition for my mom and I to pick up fall leaves in the park behind our house. I guess I'll have to go to the park here and pick up leaves with K....though since we don't have a table or a pretty bowl to put them in, I'm not sure that's a good idea.

That's really all that's going on now. No plans for this evening...probably just go home and chill out. Its a hot day!

Catching Up

Monday, August 2, 2010

The past few weeks have been so busy I have had no time to write, but a lot has happened...

My weekend in D.C. was fun yet also sad. I was officially there to attend my cousins' going away party. One is moving to Chicago and the other to Indonesia. My aunt is pretty sad about it but its the best thing for each of them. The party was so much fun and it was really good to see the extended family that I see only very rarely. On top of that I got to see my mom which was nice because I didn't know when I would see her next. I got to spend time with my aunt's cat Nala who is a tiny gray cat similar to Sara. She spent some time laying in my lap every morning.

On the downside, my grandpa is in the hospital and nothing looks good. He's had a stroke and can't move the right side of his body. He's pretty much bed ridden and I'm pretty sure his spirit is broken. Its sad. My mom has extended her stay so that she can help take care of him and clean out his house and everything. We don't know what the next step will be for him but we're all pretty nervous about it.

Work has picked up. The other interns and myself are finishing up our intern video project, so that's good. They both leave next week and then I will be the lone intern for a while. I'll enjoy that, I think, because I'll have more to do and I'd love more responsibility.

My friend, A, came to town on Thursday night to stay for the weekend. K and I had a lot of fun hanging out with her. On Friday she and I went for a long champagne brunch at Sarabeth's on the Upper West and then spent the day poking around in the West Village. J arrived into the city on Friday evening so I met him at the subway station and showed him around the Upper West a bit. That night, K, J, A, and I met with some of K's friends at Tortilla Flats, my old stomping ground. It was crazy because the minute I walked in I saw R and P, two guys I had met during my internship last time. I was so excited to run into them! As a group, we left Tortilla Flats and walked over to the Gansevoort where R and P got the whole group in in front of the line. Then we were straight up to the rooftop deck where we could see awesome panoramic views of the city. It was an awesome night!

On Saturday I spent time with J trying to get him settled into his new apartment on 163rd st. It was such a hassle figuring out all the paperwork and lugging his stuff up the stairs. On Sunday A and I had brunch at Cafe Lalo and then spent time poking around a little street market. We bought curtains for our room and an Audrey Hepburn poster which really makes it feel more homey. Today it was back to the office grind.

All in all, it has been a very eventful week. I look forward to getting back into my schedule of working everyday, working out, and job hunting some more. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things start to pick up a bit, both in work and at home.

And I'm off to DC

Friday, July 23, 2010

This week at work was pretty busy. We ran a lot of errands and rushed to put together a project.

Last night I had drinks and dinner with the son of a family friend, N. He was nice and we had a lot of fun. He's been talked up to me for a few years now, and everyone has joked that we were future husband and wife. We went to this place called High Bar, a rooftop bar/lounge right near Times Square which offers pretty awesome views of the city. After, we went to the West Village where we walked around until we found somewhere to have dinner. Dinner was ok, but not that awesome for New York, I don't think. After, we were planning on going to another bar to keep the night going but N suggested we sit on a stoop on Perry St. We sat and talked for a while but I could feel his interest in me slip when I told him I was not at all interested in having kids. He quieted down, seemed disappointed, and said we should call it a night. Very interesting.

Currently, I'm on the Bolt Bus (which thus far doesn't seem so bolty) on my was to DC to see my family. Both of my Aunt S's children are moving so shes throwing a going away party for them tomorrow. I look forward to that and seeing everybody. My mom flew in last night and I can't wait to see her this afternoon either. Both of her parents aren't doing very well so she's coming to see each of them and help out in any way that she can. The bus ride is a little over 4 hours but the good thing is that we get internet and that there are outlets. The bad thing is that its really cramped and hotter than hell in here! The AC doesn't seem to be doing much. This could be a long ride.

I'm not so sure about all this

Monday, July 19, 2010

Well this weekend was interesting. Friday night I went to Taj, a club in the west village, with me friend D where a bunch of girls tried to teach me how to dance. I ended up drinking too much vodka, I was trying to feel better about Sara, and suffered a lovely hangover on Saturday. Saturday evening, I went to my friend KS's house for a little dinner party with her and her boyfriend. Her apartment is really homey and she has an adorable cat named Martin. It was almost like Martin knew I had just lost my kitty; he cuddled in my lap for a while and I completely enjoyed spending time with a cat. KS made an awesome dinner. It's nice not to eat peanut butter and brown rice gluten free tortilla. Appetizing. On Sunday I went for a long walk and K and I ran some errands. Nothing too exciting.

I leave for D.C. on Friday. It turns out my mom is flying back too because both of her parents are not doing very well. Everybody says that bad news comes in threes, and this seems to be the case. Its been a very rough week and all of this on top of the stress of unemployment is really hard. I just hope I can get through this rough patch and come out on top.

I'm happy I'll be able to see my mom this weekend and get away from the city for a few days, although I don't look forward to the five hour bus ride. I have yet to hear back from my interview I had last week but some of my friends at my internship have told me about a couple of editing opportunities, though my fingers are not crossed. You can't get a job unless you have experience, but you can't get experience until you get a job. How am I supposed to ever be employed?

I'm in mourning...

Friday, July 16, 2010

Rather than go into the office yesterday, I chose to take the day off to mourn. I rented Bright Star, Roman Holiday, and, yes, The Happening. Although I had heard bad things, I wasn't about to give up on one of my favorite directors. The movie was obviously not his best work, and was executed poorly, but I think overall his idea was unique and interesting, it was just lacking.

I ordered Sara's headstone today. It was very tough. I'm taking it pretty hard, I think. But I'm happy that today's Friday so I have a couple more days of nothing. I can't stop thinking about her and how I wasn't there to sleep with her on her last night and that she wasn't feeling well. Its good and bad that I wasn't there. I think it will be more difficult for me when I go home next.

Sara's death has just added more stress on top of the job search. I'm feeling very discouraged and anxious. I don't want to move away from the city already. I'm quickly losing faith in myself which is unlike me, I think.

On a lighter note, a few days ago I was in an elevator with Alan Cumming at a building in midtown. That was pretty cool since I love Romy and Michelle. What's even more exciting is that I have to go back to that building today and rumor has it Gaga is there! I'd love to bump into her, though I don't know if I could contain my excitement. Chances are I won't even see her anyway.

Who knows what I'll do this weekend. D wants to hang out again, I may see my friend E, and, if K doesn't go to Connecticut for the weekend, I really want to go with her to Tortilla Flats, since I haven't been yet. Anything to keep up my energy really.

A sad day

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Today was a very sad day.

Like yesterday, clouds covered Manhattan and rain drizzled throughout the day. The humidity increased tenfold and I could feel the sweat running down my back while waiting for the 1 train.

I went to work and spent my morning checking my email, reading me book, and such. I had an interview for a restaurant which opens in two weeks called "Artichoke" at three so I went to that while I ran some errands for work. Overall, I think the interview went well. But they want me to work until 6am which I'm not sure will work for me.

By the time I got back to the office, I was tired, hungry, and frustrated from the mugginess of the city. I promised myself that I would order Indian food for delivery when I got home, but just as I was about to I called my mom who informed me that my cat died today.

Sara was my birthday present when I was 5 and I've had her for 18 years. She slept with me every night and I've always considered her my daughter. My mom told me she was sick last week. I feel very unprepared for her death. When I left home I told her I would see her in December. And I wont. It's a very sad time for me.

When K got home we went to "Coppola's" across the way and I ordered some comfort food: a glass of pinot, pasta alla vodka, and chocolate suffle. I feel much better after that and K and I had a few laughs. But I still miss my kitty and keep thinking about those last moments I spent with her. It will be a tough few days.

Tomorrow its off to work again. We'll see how well I do at the office.

Manhattan does not want me to be employed

Yesterday was a rough day. But before I get into that, let me recap the weekend...

Saturday was an awesome day. D took me to a wedding in "Fishkill" New York, which is right next to Poughkeepsie. Fishkill. Funny name. Thank god we got there when we did because had we arrived five minutes later we would have run into the bride and groom walking down the isle. Because the wedding ended pretty much right when we got there, we headed to the reception, which was beautiful. It was right on a river and overlooked a beautiful bridge and green mountains across the way. The sunset was gorgeous and I enjoyed a couple glasses of champagne. The dinner table was brilliantly decorated and the food was delicious. D was anxious to leave after dessert (the cake was delicious) because he had a party to go to at a club downtown called Taj. At the time, I thought I would go with him, but I fell asleep in the car on the way back and by the time we got back into the city I knew I had to go to bed.

Sunday was a good day. I just went for a walk along the Hudson, shopped for groceries, and cleaned the apartment again. It just doesn't seem to stay with my standards. That night K, her cousin, and I went to dinner at the Boat Basin to watch the sunset. It was C's second to last day in town so she met up with us. After, C, K and I went to Cafe Lalo, the restaurant from "You've Got Mail," and had some of the most delicious dessert I've ever had. Must keep that restaurant in mind for the future....just in case.

Monday night after work, I went with my friend from work's birthday cocktail hour at the Frying Pan. The weather was a bit cloudy so there weren't as many people there as usual but we had a good time. K and C came to meet us there and we met some fun people.

I took yesterday off from work to shop around my resume. I will get a job! I had left my printed resumes at work so I hopped on the subway down to Times Square to pick them up. When I walked into the building, the sky was gray, but there was no rain. Five minutes later, when I came out of the office, it was pouring! I had an umbrella with my but it didn't do much as the streets had transformed into rivers and the rain seemed to be coming from all directions. I was dressed business casual: a nice top and an expensive BCBG silk skirt. As I was trying to push my way through the crowds and the torrential weather, my sandal got caught on something and I fell. In the street. In the middle of Times Square. I was covered in water and dirt and my outfit was ruined for the day. I ran into the subway in frustration and made my way back uptown. Rather than go job hunting like a soaking wet sponge, I chose to go home. I got caught on a median crossing the street and cars from both sides were further spraying me with water as they passed by. I was pissed.

I got home, changed into my sweats and decided that the city is doing everything it can to keep me from being employed. The frustration of not having a job is building, though I have an interview today. Who knows how that will go. It's supposed to thunderstorm again today.

That's it for now. Off to my internship. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Today

Friday, July 9, 2010

Well, I don't think I'm getting that PA position I applied for. After sending a follow up email and hearing no responses, I've decided its not going to happen. That really bums me out, but I'm sure there will be more opportunities in the future. This means that I can take time to go to DC for the weekend of the 24th for my cousins' going away party. I'm excited about that. Now if I can only pick a bus. Why are there endless options of buses and how do I know which one is the best?

I'm taking the day off today to go and apply for restaurant jobs. K is printing off resumes for me at her work, so I'm going to the financial district to have lunch with her and pick them up. Then I'll come back uptown, go restaurant to restaurant and beg. Hopefully something comes out of that.

Let me tell you about three funny things that happened yesterday after work. I was walking home and I saw a man pull out a carpet, drop to his knees, and pray towards Mecca. In the middle of Times Square. That's something I've never seen before. You know what else shouldn't happen in Times Square? Wind. But it does. Which is why it was very embarrassing when my very flowy skirt blew up in front of hundred of people. I subsequently turned the corner and prayed that I would just disappear into the crowd and people would forget about it. Thirdly, a few blocks from my building, I saw a transsexual that had to be at least 70. Or else it was just a very tall, very masculine woman. With a beard. Hm.

The other night I met up with my friend D again. We had a drink at Zanzibar near work and then headed to the Chelsea Piers where we walked along the water and then into the west village. We had dinner at Pastis (the most mentioned restaurant in Sex and the City) and then went to a lounge nearby for another drink. It was a really awesome place, though the name escapes me at the moment. I didn't get home until 2am but it was totally worth it; we had so much fun.

On a sadder note, I recently discovered that my cat of 18 years, Sara, has failing kidneys and only has weeks to live. I'm sad I wont see her again, but I know she has lived a good (spoiled) life.

D wants to take me to a wedding this weekend so K and I are going dress shopping after work. Hopefully somewhere really cheap.

I am beginning to get frustrated with my apartment. It gets dirty so easily and always looks it because its pre-war so even when its clean it looks dirty. Its really tough not having a kitchen. Washing your dishes in the bathtub is....actually pretty funny. K and I have had many laughs about it. But it sucks when they pile up because both of us are rushing off to work in the morning. My other goal today: clean again.

And NOW I know I'm in New York

Monday, July 5, 2010

So I'm just wrapping up my weekend on this hot Monday morning. Having a slow morning; drinking coffee, job searching, and looking forward to a slow day. This weekend was awesome.

Friday after work I had drinks with the VP of the department that I intern for. I really enjoy his company and the two of us get along pretty well. I took the opportunity to ask him how he got where he is, and what his ambitions are. In turn, he was very supportive of my will to move into the company.

After drinks with him, I met up with K at Levain Bakery (supposedly known for the best cookies in New York. Frankly, I've had better.) And the two of us started to make plans for the evening. After we got home, however, neither of us were feeling much like going out so we picked a great alternative....we decided to go see Eclipse. I know, I know. The movie was awesomely bad and K and I laughed our way through it. Good times. In addition, we decided to talk in a British accent and in rhyme for the evening. This was especially funny when K went to order frozen yogurt and couldn't stop laughing. The girl at the counter was so excited to meet us because she will be studying in London in a few months. So we recommended some things for her.

Saturday was an awesome day. K and I decided to go to the lower east to a flea market and then work our way up through some museums. The flea market was smaller than we expected, and we spend the rest of the day walking through little vintage shops. We walked up through Union Square and through another huge flea market. It was so much fun to look at all of the interesting and colorful foods, clothing, furniture, etc. By the time we finally reached the museum of sex, our first museum stop, our feet were killing us and we were exhausted from the heat. We walked in the museum, saw that it was nearly 20 dollars to get in, and turned around and walked out. Screw that. I don't have a job.

We got home and took a 2 hour nap before getting ready to go meet K's friends for dinner at a steakhouse called Del Friscos. We got dressed up and headed out. The evening was perfect! It was warm, but not too hot, and the sky was clear. We met K's friends at the restaurant which is right next to Radio City and has floor to ceiling glass panels which make you feel like you are eating outside. There were 9 of us total, and we had an awesome time drinking wine and getting to know each other. The bill must have been expensive, but the boys took care of it and we hopped in a cab over to a place called Hudson Terrace which is a rooftop club.

When we got there there was a line. We sneered, but went to the back. Somehow, K was able to convince the bouncer that we knew some promoter and we got to go to the front and straight up (no cover for girls, of course.) The club was packed with people and there was very little room for dancing. While overall I like the idea of the Hudson Terrace, the walls are too high and I felt as though I missed out on the rooftop experience. We stayed for a couple hours, but by 3am it was time to go home.

Sunday was 4th of July. K went with some of her friends to a beach bbq. I passed and decided to stay home and get some cleaning done instead. Yes, I can't stand it when things are dirty. I went for a long walk through riverside (4 1/2 miles through the heat is rough) and had a day to myself, which was nice. When K got home around 5, she told me she was meeting a friend at a party in midtown. So she and I got ready and headed downtown to 46th st. The party was at an apartment right ear the Hudson. At 9pm everyone headed upstairs to the roof. Climbing onto that roof was like climbing into a moving picture. I could see the sun setting over the Hudson, the first star in the sky, and the dozens of sky scrapers all around me. That is what I remember about New York from the last time I was here; the feeling of amazement at where I am and complete happiness. The fireworks started at 9:30 and lasted until 10. Even though I don't like fireworks, these were awesome.

After the party, K and I had dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant which was really good and then headed back home to crash. Today? I think K and I are going shopping for some things for our apartment. Tomorrow is back to the grind.

Things are moving! (No Mom, not like that)

Friday, July 2, 2010

This week has been very busy. I've spent the last few days going to work everyday and getting accustomed to my old internship routine. I'm so happy to be back and I'm loving every minute of my new life, even though I'm a lot more tired than I used to be.

I went out with my friend D again the other night. We had some wine and appetizers and then we ran into same of his friends at a local bar. I had a lot of fun with them. His friends were really sweet and he is so much fun to hang out with. I think I'm beginning to lose my tolerance for alcohol, which is arguably a good thing. I had two glasses of wine over dinner, and then had one vodka and had to switch to water at the bar, even though drinks were coming my way. Perhaps I'm growing up?

Yesterday was an exciting day at work. There is a job opening in another department which I have sent my resume in for and a few people have recommended me. It feels wonderful to have such a support system within that company. I look forward to seeing what comes out of that, even if it is only interview practice.

The restaurant which I applied for the other day didn't even call me back, and I was sure they were going to! I have way too much experience to not get called back. Oh well, as my mom said, perhaps there is a reason I have yet to find a restaurant job....maybe I'll find a career instead? I feel excited about my options.

So, today is Friday and this weekend is the 4th of July....and I still haven't figured out what I am doing. Three days off. That will be lovely!

Are we in the tropics?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Today was perfect! There are no other words. C and I got up and went for a walk up to my favorite little cafe Nussbaum and Wu where we enjoyed brunch and iced coffee on a hot summer morning. It is so good to catch up with her after six months of absence!

After walking back from brunch and having our showers we decided to do a touristy type day.

On our way to the subway, I dropped in a place called Niko's, who I saw was hiring, and had an on-the-spot interview. While its not exactly the place I'd live to work for, at least it would be some type of income. I'm sure I'll be hearing back from them in the next day or two.

From here, we hopped on the express train and got off at 14st. I love the village! It is absolutely my favorite place to go. There are so many hidden neighborhoods and cobblestone streets. When there, I don't feel as though I am truly in Manhattan anymore but feel more like I'm in some European village somewhere. We made our way past some of my favorite, though unfrequented, spots. We walked by the Standard Hotel where suits flock during late hours and where I have been only once. It's definitely a hot place to go at night. From there we walked east and past Pastis, an awesome restaurant which I have visited only once but where I hope to go many more times (with someone who can afford it, preferably.)

I took C to over to Bleeker and showed her the famous, yet overrated, Magnolia Bakery and then over to Perry Street to see "Carrie's stoop." More impressive than the stoop, in C's opinion, was the quaintness of the street. You would never imagine such a small, seemingly secluded, street in the center of Manhattan. I would love to live in a brownstone of my own someday.

From here C and I made our way over to a place that I have never been; the "Friends" building! It is not far from Carrie's stoop, actually, and is a lot smaller than we both thought. Like the stoop, it is located in a quiet corner of the village and seems like a really cute place to live. Of course, everyone wants to live in the Friends building and I've heard it is nearly impossible to get a place there.

Another thing C wanted to see was the New York "Arc" that we have seen on Friends so many times. So after some research, we walked over to Washington Square Park and took some touristy pictures of it. I am surprised at how many people, young and old, were swimming in the dirty Washington Square Park fountain. But the day was incredibly hot so I suppose I might do the same....or maybe not.

I'll admit it. Our next stop was Crumb Bakery. Its not what you think! C had never been there and for the past few years she had heard me discuss it in great detail and I didn't want to be a bad friend and have her miss out on one of the most utterly delectable experiences of a lifetime! So we went to the Crumb by NYU and watched the students walk by while enjoying our red velvet and white coconut variations. They were so big that neither of us could finish them, which I consider to be a good thing.

Another thing which C has never really done was walk through Central Park. On our sugar high, we jumped on the Q train up to 59th street where we got off only to discover...it was raining. After a moment of discussion, we decided the best thing to do would be to face it. We were in New York! A little rain is not going to hurt. And it didn't. Central Park is lovely at any time, but I think I will definitely have to return during a rainy day. The crowds seem to clear out leaving the park bare. The grass is so green, the trees so twisted and old. Lush foliage grows up on almost everything and the lake is so peaceful with the pitter patter of the rain which hits it. C and I meandered our way through the denser pathways and felt more like we were in the humid tropics than the busiest city in the U.S.

By the time we got back to the real world, our feet were killing us so we went to see Knight and Day (fyi a movie in New York is $13....note to self: next time be on date) which was funny and entertaining, and then had dinner at a Upper West Side restaurant called Canteen 82, to which I will probably not return. The food was less than mediocre (especially for the city), and the service lacking. But, which all of the awesome food in the city, I'm sure I'll find a place I love. On the plus side, we got to enjoy a seat outside during the beautiful Manhattan summer. I love the city's hot summer nights!

Overall, this day was perfection and C and I had so much fun. Another fabulous day of my internship tomorrow! Good night, city lights.

A new brand of crazy...

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Wow what a weekend! K and I just got back from the Hamptons. It was so much fun! We stayed in a house which cost 38,000 to rent for the summer! So much money. We hopped on the jitney which arrived at midnight and then caught a cab to her friend T's house. From there, I had a shot of bacardi (gross) and a beer to wake myself up and then we headed to a local bar. I had so much fun dancing that I didn't even realize it was 3am before we left! Once back at the house we spend some time in the hot tub, but then I promptly passed out by 4am. My body is not used to partying like this!

On Saturday we were all up by ten and headed to the beach. Wow, it is so beautiful, but I thought that east coast beaches are supposed to be warm? I spent time laying in the sun while K played beach volleyball with the boys (it hurts my hands!) and then we relocated to a bar right on the water so that everyone could watch the world cup game. While the boys drank beer, I ordered myself a bowl of ice cream, which I think was a much wiser decision.

Once the game ended, the disappointed boys (Ghana beat US by a point), K and I made our way back to the house and napped. Here's the thing about staying at a house full of guys: it's dirty. So dirty! I was afraid to walk without my shoes on, and don't even get me started on the bathrooms!! How can they live like this? My friend KS told me it was going to be like a frat house and boy it was. Apparently, T lost a bet and as a result had to down six bottles of Smirnoff ice. In good fashion, he rose to the occasion, got down on one knee, and chugged six bottles in eight minutes. After which he promptly projectile vomited off of the balcony. His buddies were screaming with laughter and delight. I was running in the opposite direction.

That night the boys had a little get together at their house where I played my first game of beer pong and flip cup (and was unimpressed by the results). At midnight when everyone left to go out, I decided to sit out and sleep instead. I was just way too tired for another 4am night.

At around 6pm, K and I took the train to Penn Station and the 1 back up to the west side. It was such a beautiful night that we decided to go and have a drink at the Boat Basin, a lovely cafe on the water not far from our apartment. We enjoyed a pelligrino each and recapped the weekend. One of the boys from the weekend, J, had told us that he had slept with a girl in a porta potty outside of a club one night. K and I were talking about this story and laughing so hard as we left the restaurant. At some point, I realized that there were two men behind us, so I turned and apologized for the crudeness of our conversation. One of them said, "that's ok, by the way you are so beautiful, whats your name?"

I shook his hand and told him my name and he was intent on getting my phone number...but being very creepy about it (a 40 year old should probably not be chasing a 20 year old). He just kept telling me that he needed to get my phone number because I was so beautiful. So he took out his cell phone and it was frozen! He couldn't type anything into it. K said, "maybe you should take this as a sign and if we see you at Boat Basin again it will be serendipity..." but the guy (whose name escapes me) said, "No! I'm not letting her leave without her phone number." Desperate, he grabbed his friend's phone and I gave him a fake number. The men turned the corner and left, and K and I burst out laughing. We were just making fun of him when all of a sudden, we heard someone calling my name. We turned around at the guy was running (!) up the street. "His phone didn't work either! His phone didn't work either!!" So I gave him my fake number AGAIN and K and I quickly swept into our apartment and proceeded to laugh for a loooong time on his behalf. She said to me, "That's a new brand of crazy!"

So tonight I'm just unpacking, settling down, doing laundry, and waiting for my friend C to arrive. I'll be spending the day with her tomorrow!

Good night Manhattan!

My life has begun!

Friday, June 25, 2010

So yesterday was my first day interning, and boy have things changed since I moved here! First of all....

I met two guys during intern orientation yesterday. One attends Northwestern and is a film student as well. He is working in the production division of the same department that I am and he seems like a really cool guy. He mentioned that he is working on writing and directing a film and that he is looking for help. Basically, he and I agreed that I would edit his film and perhaps work on set. I think he and I will get along well since I have a lot of experience working on independent sets and on all aspects of production. I'll call him "A." Another guy I met, N, wants to get involved in this film as well, and may have a location for us to shoot on. I am so excited to have met these guys because its cool that I am getting to know some of the local independent film community, however small that might be.

Two nights ago, I met up with my old friend, D, from the media company where I intern. He and I went out for drinks to catch and and get to know each other all over again. I forgot how much I enjoy his company. We had drinks at a local bar around the corner (including a shot of something called a slippery nipple...which, by the way, I recommend) and then dinner at 10pm at a place on the Upper West called Monaco, which served pretty decent pasta (though their wine was very overpriced.) He is such a sweet guy, really seems to care about me, and has so many connections to the industry. I asked him about my friend J, who is moving here in late July. I suppose I should tell you about my friend J.

J and I have been good friends for over a year. He and I dated a little over a year ago, but it just never worked out between us so we decided to be friends. He and I had a fairly professional relationship since he acted in a few of my short films, but he has remained one of my best friends. It has always been a dream of his to move to New York and I support him 100%. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one supporting him; his family seems to have forgotten about him, which is a shame since he is such an awesome person. He is a very talented songwriter/musician, though he has had no musical training, and I think with the right ambition he could go far. The "right" ambition. Or any at all. Most of the time I feel as though he is happy being where he is which depresses me. He could be anything he wanted. But sometimes he seems content to sit still and wait for things to happen to him, rather than trying to make things happen for himself. I guess moving to the big apple will be his first step in the right direction. He deserves it. More to come on that subject later.

I was so excited to see my friends at my prior internship! I missed everyone I worked with before, especially my superior "KS." KS and I are very similar. She is this beautiful, driven, awesome girl who I so aspire to be. She is very smart and seems to be a pro at knowing how to move up in life. She knows what she wants, and I think she will help me to get where I want. I guess I just feel that it is rare to feel such a connection with another who you don't know very well. She is a very talented and driven woman who is helping to guide me into finding a path of my own. Don't get me wrong, I love this company and look forward to revisiting everyone in it, I have just been most excited about seeing KS again. She and I shared a really interesting conversation over wine and tapas tonight. She said that attractive women have the lower hand. People expect them to be unintelligent and useless. She said that she has had to work really hard to get where she is and that I should expect the same; men assume attractive women are not as intelligent. We'll show them!

One of the wonderful things about my internship is the people we work with. One of the reasons I wanted to come back was because I thought I could spend more time with the editors and learn more about photoshop, flash, after affects, and other computer editing programs. Because I have interned here before, I think I will have more opportunity to learn new programs as well as to cut my editing reel together for future employers.

So what am I doing this weekend? K and I are hopping on the Jitney out to the Hamptons. She has a friend there who has a summer share with 12 guys (that's right...12!) and we are going to stay and party with them for the weekend. Hmmm...that's a lot of testosterone...whish me luck!

Overall, I think I have made the right decision for myself. I am learning new things, meeting awesome people, rekindling old friendships, and moving up in life. I feel so much happier than I did a week ago in that I am finally doing what I love, even though I am yet to find employment.

Finding a job has been more difficult than I thought. Sometimes I wonder whether or not it would be better to intern with this media company full time or part time but with a side job. I'm not sure. All I know is: I can do better than to pour people coffee everyday. My degree is worth more than that (right Dad ;) )?

So in conclusion: I have three dates with men next week, one dinner with my room mate, and one with my friend/superior KS (who I hope to spend increasingly more time with).

Next weekend is the 4th of July and there are many options.

I could go with my room mate, K, to her friend's rooftop party, I could go with K to the Hamptons or D.C., or I could go to Montauk with my friend KS.


Now, on a more personal level...

I went to a bar last night with my room mate K and met a bunch of her old friends. Most of them are very nice, and I so enjoy meeting new people in the city. But, I met this once guy called B who is a published author currently attending grad school at Columbia for creative writing. AND he's a personal trainer, AND he wear glasses, AND hes shy. This all means that he is a sweet guy and not a jerk, like so many other guys can be. Apparently he is really into local and independent theater so when he asked me for my number to take me to a unique film, of course I gave it to him.

Nearing the end of work today, D asked me if I was available to have a drink. Sadly, I was not, so he and I made plans for next week.

On top of all of these exciting plans, C (one for my best friends from high school) is coming to New York tomorrow so I am spending the day with her in the city on Monday. YAY! I miss her so much. She is this really brilliant young woman who is working for teach for America far outsife of her California home. She is the kind of friend I will always love forever, which is probably why I am so excited to see her.

Overall, my internship has been a success (for the past two days that I've actually been working,) and I look forward to a continued success in the upcoming weeks.


Hmm...what will I do next....who knows?......its New York!

A day in the city

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

So I had my first interview yesterday. No, its not what you think. While it would have been great had the interview been with some hot shot company, it was not. I interviewed for what I thought would have been a server position in a cute wine bar. After a 45 minute commute to midtown east, it turns out that the "wine bar" is actually more like a tiny coffee cafe which also happens to have some wine bottles at the counter. I think there were about five tables inside the place. Maybe. So you can imagine my disappointment when I walked inside. Everyone who was working was really skinny, had a lot of tattoos, and seemed to glare at me a bit. Of course, I was dressed in business casual.

The woman who interviewed me was nice enough and seemed to enjoy my answers to her questions, although being from Santa Rosa, she seemed a bit put off at the fact that I am originally from a quaint little Bay Area town. Anyway, the interview took all of five minutes. I'm sure she will call me back to come in, but I will not be working there. I can do a lot more with my time than make cappuccinos.

Disappointed, I decided not to hop back on the subway but instead to explore the east side of midtown. I made my way through the city streets taking in all of the beautiful buildings in the area. I walked right by the Empire State, which was fun. As I made my way uptown, however, I entered a dangerous area. Chanel, Dior, Burberry, and Versace all called my name! Instead, I simply window shopped and admired the beautiful gowns which were displayed. I wonder where one might wear a strapless, ruffled, long red gown? I don't care I would have found a place!

It was at this point I realized that my feet were killing me so I passed the Plaza Hotel and Central Park South over to Columbus circle where I caught the 1 back uptown. I felt relief to finally get back into my apartment where I realized my right pinky toe was completely bleeding from my shoes. That's walking around in New York for you.

I borrowed a book from K called "White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good." I felt like an intellectual read. So I changed out of my business casual and made my way over to Central Park where I found a somewhat secluded spot to lay in the grass and read. Peaceful! I could hear music from an orchestra that was playing nearby, the trinkle of a fountain, and the occasional human voice. For about 45 minutes I laid there reading when a man came and asked me where 6th Ave was. I pointed him in the right direction and he thanked me but then sat down next to me.

Now I think this is where the city is going to help me toughen up a bit. I am so afraid of being mean to people! Even when they make me uncomfortable. (Well unless I'm under the influence of vodka). He kept asking me all of these questions and I had a hard time understanding him (he spoke broken English and was obviously from South America somewhere). That's when I began the excuses: I told him I was meeting my boyfriend in a minute and that I was having dinner with my room mate. Yet he kept asking me all of these questions. He told me he could get me a job for 500 an hour (doing what I wonder). It was at this point that I dialed my mom and told him I had to go meet my boyfriend. I just got a totally creepy feeling from him. Perhaps this exchange will help me learn how to be straight up and honest rather than try and be so nice. K said to me later, "isn't it interesting that we think that lying to them in the moment is being nice and that being honest is being mean?"

After the creepy exchange I walked back uptown through the park and made my way back home. I had told my landlord's sister that I would help her move her file cabinet out of the stairwell. I actually really enjoyed "I's" company. She is very nice and gave me $25 (my first earnings in the city)! And on the upside she said she may have more errands for me to do (ok!).

At this point K arrived home and the two of us hopped on the subway downtown to Chelsea to meet her parents and their friends, who are visiting the city, for dinner. God I love Chelsea. I really need to go there more often. We passed several interesting places including a place called "Rawhide." Ha! There were so many tall, good looking, and immaculately dressed men! I would watch them get closer and then here them say something like, "whatever that bitch is hot," and then I would know. Damn. Why are all the good ones gay? Men in mesh shirts and short shorts passed us left and right. Lovely scenery actually. We finally settled on a Vietnamese place which was decent, though it is a bit hot out for warm, spicy food.

I do love New York at night. It is so warm! I love not having to worry about bringing a jacket. I don't actually mind the humidity because I feel like its good for my hair and skin, though during the day it makes you sweat a lot. Gross.

So that was just another unemployed day in New York. My internship begins the day after tomorrow and I am so excited for that!! But for today, I think I'll get up, go to New York Sports Club, figure out the laundry situation, and then...who knows? Perhaps I'll go spend the day in beautiful Greenwich. Or visit the Met. Or poke around the galleries in Soho. Or just go for a long walk in Riverside. Whatever it is I choose to do, I'm just so lucky to be in New York.

Opportunities left and right

Sunday, June 20, 2010

So today is day five. Almost all of my boxes have arrived and I'm feeling much better now that all of my things are here and organized. I have officially joined a gym, switched my bank account over to a New York bank and made a home for myself. The only problem is that I don't yet have a job.

I know its only my fifth day and I'll be okay for a little bit without employment-but it sucks to watch K get up every morning, put on her business casual, and walk out the door for work everyday. And I understand I'm lucky to have open days in Manhattan in the summer and I've taken advantage of them.

Central Park is beautiful. The other day I spent some time at a rare and used bookstore and I bought a book about New York in the 60's. I spent an hour or so reading it in the park and drinking an iced coffee. Sometimes I had to put the book down to watch the people walk by; there are so many interesting people here.

While having nothing on the schedule is refreshing...I'm feeling refreshed enough. I'm ready for work. I'm feeling restless and beginning to worry. The sooner I get a job the sooner I start making connections and moving my life forward.

On the upside, I have a job interview with a small wine bar tomorrow. The commute is a little farther than I'd like but it seems like something that would be up my alley and would make me feel like less of a bum. Also I was talking with K's friend KT and she said she knows a Broadway producer who may be able to get me a job working in theater. That would be nice. Also I had brunch with my friend E who knows someone who is working on a new HBO series featuring Kate Winslet. She is going to set me up to have lunch with her. That would be awesome! It seems as though there are opportunities left and right, so the sooner I get out there the sooner they will come my way. Wish me luck!

A cat on the subway?

Friday, June 18, 2010

This is New York City so anything goes. You can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at 3AM delivered to your apartment if you so wish. I've seen men dressed in drag at 10AM, women wearing bathrobes and curlers in their hair on the subway, and even once a man walking a cat on a leash in Riverside Park . It takes a lot to shock a true New Yorker.

Yesterday evening I was on my way to a Yankees game with my room mate and her friend F who is himself, a born and raised New York City boy. Everything was business as usual until the B train stopped at 85th street and a man got on with a cat. Now this cat wasn't in a kennel or pet carrying box. The man was simply holding the cat in his arms. This poor cat was obviously terrified. His eyes were almost completely dilated and his owner must have been in pain because his claws were digging into the guy's shoulder with a death grip.

At this point, K, F, and I were holding back our laughter- I think I even heard K snort once. Even F, who has seen a lot of weird stuff in the city, was shocked by this odd couple.

Now this man was no ordinary man. He was probably in his 60's and was a bit frumpy. His belly protruded over his khaki pants ( though it made a good "seat" for the cat). As if this scenario wasn't odd enough, the man soon began kissing his cat all over- the mouth, ears, head, paws and so on, until he finally deboarded at 116th street. As he moved through the subway crowds he was saying, "good boy, good boy."

Just another day in the city.

A jar of peanut butter and a doorman

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Shopping for groceries in New York is very different from shopping for groceries in other U.S. cities. Because the markets are all right out your door, you can shop for what you want each day instead of each week. Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do. I am not good of thinking of meals and I don't generally have the patience to cook something. By the time I get home from my day I'm hungry and I just want to eat- not wait an hour for something to cook.

Yesterday I had my first shopping experience in New York. I bought some berries, soymilk, bannas, bread, and peanut butter. Once home, I realized that all that left me to eat was peanut butter on bread with berries. Ok. I took the plastic off of the peanut butter and tried to open the jar. Wasn't happening. I ran the jar under hot water (at the bathroom sink, as that's the only one) but still I could not get that damn jar open! By now my frustration was growing as it had been about ten minutes I had been trying to get this stupid thing open. My resolution? Ask the doorman. The jar of peanut butter and myself rode the elevator down to the first floor and asked "W" if he would kindly open the jar for me. He gave me a very odd look and easily opened the jar. I grinned with relief and embarrassment, tipped him, and returned to my room with my tail between my legs. Embarrassing? Yes. But you can bet that peanut butter sandwich was freakin' awesome.

A word about airplanes...

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

So I've arrived! Day one as a resident of Manhattan. Very exciting. I've been spending my day getting settled...a trip to the market...one to Duane Reade. Now all I have to do is wait on the ten or so packages my mom and I have sent. It was really difficult to sleep last night due to excitement, but my flight was exhausting....

I crammed myself into an incredibly luxurious window seat in coach (or "steerage" as my little sister calls it) and was thrilled that the flight wasn't delayed...yet. After four hours of smooth flying we landed in Chicago only to wait on the runway for about an hour and a half during which time I made conversation with the handsome stranger sitting next to me. Turns out he is a NFL player for a Bay Area team. Alright! Successful AND cute! Turns out he was on his way to his home town of Mississippi and absolutely hates cities. Oh well.

Once we FINALLY pulled into the gate and passengers were deboarding, I decided to take the opportunity to use the restroom. Of course, everyone knows that airplane bathrooms are uncomfortable small, but I took uncomfortable to a new level. Once inside the "bathroom" I reached for what I thought was a toilet seat cover above the toilet. It wasn't a toilet seat cover. Oh no. I found myself clutching another passenger's dirty tissue! Disgusting! I quickly shoved the tissue back into the garbage from which it was plucked by my unassuming hand. After washing my hands, I saw that there were no (or at least I could find no) paper towels with which to dry my hands. Note to self: tissues are a poor substitute for paper towels. Little balls of tissue had formed all over my damp hands and it took three or four more tissues to remove the original tissue debris. Thinking my bathroom troubles were over, I shoved the door open. Of course, the door hit the pilot...pretty hard I must say. After many apologies I was finally able to make it back to my seat...where I waited through another two hours or delay before the plane was able to take off in the direction of Manhattan.

Other than the delays, my arrival was relatively smooth. My luggage was first out (which never happens) and my car found me right away. The trip to my Upper West Side apartment building was pleasant and brief. I tipped the driver the appropriate amount and bounded to the door of my new building!!!.....which was locked....and the doorman was MIA. Hmmm....I was supposed to get my key from the doorman. I called K. Then I called her again. And again. AND AGAIN! I started to panic. For thirty minutes I tried desperately to reach my friend, but she slept through my calls. I was near panic and about to hail a cab to take me to a hotel when the doorman showed up and let me in. Thank God!

The building I'm living in is beautiful. It is prewar, so it's older and the elevators kind of scare me a bit, but the tiling in the entryway makes me feel like I'm walking into a museum or something. I was a bit intimidated as the elevator doors opened onto floor eleven. By this time it was about two in the morning. Making as little noise as possible, I snuck into my new home. Wow! It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be.

I wasn't going to wake K up, but I figured she deserved it for not answering my calls. Lightly, I ticked her foot and she woke up immediately. Oh sure, a slight touch on your foot and you wake up but a million phone calls and I get nothing?! We spent the next hour giggling and catching up. She said to me, "I have fun plans for us tomorrow night. Have you ever heard of Tortilla Flats?"

When I was an intern two years ago Tortilla Flats was the restaurant/bar I most frequented. It was there that I met all the "priviledged" men who took me to fashion shows, expensive dinners and hot clubs.

"Have I heard of Tortilla Flats? I'm queen of Tortilla Flats!" I can't believe K hasn't been yet!

And so I've been in the city less than a day and already crazy plans are in my future. I wonder where tonight will lead?

Three Days Left!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Its been a crazy few weeks. I graduated from college, had knee surgery for a torn meniscus (22 is way too young to have knee surgery by the way), and am now packing and getting ready to move to the city. I'm so excited! I'll be living with my best friend from high school and interning with a media company for two days a week. From there I hope to find a real job (which pertains to my degree in film). For now, I think being a server or dog walker will have to do. At least I'll have fabulous legs from all the walking.

My friend (I'll call her K) and I will be sharing a studio apartment on the upper west side. Yay for living in one room! We're gonna have a blast. The best thing about K and I is that we love to laugh. I think we can laugh our way through any situation, which is good when you're sharing such a small space. Neither of us like confrontation and we can talk through anything. We both like to work out and eat well....most of the time. Well she always eats well. Me? I have a special place in my heart for chocolate. But what normal girl doesn't? Together I believe we will embark on many crazy adventures!

The packing is going well. So far I think I've sent ten packages over. That's right. They are full of jewelry, perfume, the essential coffee maker and magic bullet, and, of course, shoes. The first thing I thought about when learning the size of the apartment was "where will the shoes go?" Ok, so I'm a bit of a shoe girl...I have quite a few pairs. When I was moving back from college I counted eight pairs of black stilettos. Does a girl need that many? Probably not. I'm not very good at putting together chic outfits but I can make any boring outfit fantastic with a good pair of Michael Kors. And I'm sure K will be excited about that because she gets to borrow everything! K and I have an agreement: She gets the bigger bed, but I get the bigger closet. I think I got the better end of the deal.

It will be weird moving away from home and I'm really going to miss my family, but this is my big chance to be out on my own and follow my dreams. For the first time in my life I don't know what the next step is. Will I get a job? Will I make enough income to support myself? Will I make good friends? Will I date anyone? Let me rephrase that: Will I date anyone worth dating? Will this be a true Sex and the City experience? Or will it be more like Rent? Only time will tell. And I'll be filling you in on everything.