Come back sun!

Friday, April 29, 2011

I miss the California weather. I even miss the Arizona weather! But while New York has remained mostly rainy with dark cloudy skies, the weather has shown breaks of sun here and there and it really changes my mood. When I walk outside in the morning and the sun is shining I just feel so great and happy and ready for the day. But when it's cold or rainy I just feel so angry at the city.

These past few weeks I've been taking time to notice how the trees have been changing. A few weeks ago little white flowers started cropping up everywhere and I was so excited to see them! Today I was waiting to cross the street on the way to work and I looked down the street and could see green trees as far down as seven or eight blocks. I love the city when the weather is warm. I feel like I'm coming out of hibernation.

Work has been going really well. I've trained the new receptionist and so I've been off the desk which is fabulous! My new official title is 2nd assistant editor. I like that way better than receptionist. I've been working in the vault where I'm basically in charge of tracking down elements from old jobs (like tapes, dvds, and hard drives), boxing them up, and shipping them back to the agency. It's good because I'm learning more about how the company runs and how important it is to keep track of everything. In another two weeks I'll start doing assistant work like looking for old spots, archiving current jobs, and helping out other assistants with little tasks. I'm so excited that I'm finally going to be doing what I came to the city to do. In my spare time I've been trying to teach myself After Effects and Photoshop. I should really just bite the bullet and buy the entire Adobe program but it's just so freaking expensive I can't bring myself to do it.

Things are better between me and my room mate as well. I definitely feel as though I've done my part to loosen up and she seems to be making an effort to keep herself neater, so that's really helped tame my anger as well as better our relationship. I feel happy to see her again, and that's really important.

We threw a big party at work last night for a new editor we just hired. I worked alongside the new receptionist at bartending and clearing dishes all night. I was really tired at the end but I earned some extra money, and, not to mention a hangover. The owner of the company said he was really impressed with what we were able to put together and that he'd like to do more parties in the future, so I look forward to that.

Overall things are going really well. I'm feeling a bit homesick for my family as well as my home. I really want to take a trip back home soon so I think I might start looking into that, it all just depends on how busy work is in the summer, and if they will be open to letting me take a week off being so new. I think my sisters are going to try to come this summer which would be really fun.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow I'm getting my hair done and then I'm going to go to the farmer's market in Union Square. They have the best fresh food there. Produce and jams and cheeses and wine and art. It will be so nice to take a walk outside and look at all the yummy treats. Then on Sunday my friend KS and I are going to have a little picnic in Central Park. Can't wait for summer weather!!

K and I really do live in a great location. We're in walking distance to the Frying Pan and the Boast Basin, two of our favorite summer time spots. K's dad also bought her a summer share at a house in the Hamptons for the summer so I see a few beach trips in my near future, the first being on memorial day weekend.

So, what's next? Asking for a raise. Any advice?

My thought on babies

Monday, April 11, 2011

It's well known to most people who know me that I don't want children. I don't like children. I like having my freedom and being able to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I like that I can sleep in as long as I want on the weekends and that I don't have to get up to feed a screaming child. I like that my apartment stays (mostly) clean and how I left it. I like that I don't have the added expense for feeding, clothing, and raising a child. I like that I don't have to buy new clothes for myself due to increasing spit up stains or an expanding waistline. I don't want to gain weight due to pregnancy. I don't want my feet to swell up so big that I need to buy new shoes even post-pregnancy and I don't want to get poked with needles every few months. I especially don't want to go through the whole birthing process, natural or cesarean.

Beyond these things I don't even like children. When at a restaurant it's incredibly annoying to have something screaming next to your ears. Or on planes when they stick their head above the seat in front of you and just stare at you. I hate that. I suppose I can also say I don't like irresponsible parents or parents who believe their children can do no wrong, an increasing population of people in today's world. I know it's not the kid's fault, bla bla bla, but I don't like them. I find that they get in the way on crowded streets and make situations which might be otherwise perfectly pleasant completely awful- like brunch in Manhattan- a time for eggs and champagne, not tippy cups and diapers. Aside from this the world is overpopulated and the earth is clearly suffering the consequences of so many humans.

Now, setting aside my aforementioned rants, I don't talk to people who have children about why I don't like them. I don't lecture people about having too many, nor do I impose my "anti-child" views on any expecting parents or friends of mine who I believe to be too young to procreate. So why do people find it necessary to disagree with what I want? Is it so absolutely natural that everyone bring a screaming little "angel" into the world? Should I be shunned for my choice to not have children? I find that when people ask me how many kids I want and my reply is "none" they tend to look at me as though I was a freak of nature- especially older adults. I don't pass my judgment (openly) on those that have children, why should others blatantly reject my decision?

This brings me to another point. When at a social event where babies will be present, I try my best to avoid them. I always put on a "show" for those around me when I do come in close contact. I smile at them, tell the mother how "beautiful" the baby is, and uphold certain expected social norms. At events such as these, there always seems to be a reason for a mother to hand over her child to someone else to hold. Generally I would have to say that this doesn't happen to men as much as it does to women (don't even get me started on the sexism issues here), and, on occasion, I have been left as the primary "watcher" of such a toddler. Why do people feel they have the need to leave their child with someone else? Every time I've ever been asked to hold one I always politely decline, but then people just think I'm afraid I'm going to hurt the child. They would be right- I am afraid I'm going to hurt the child....just on purpose. I don't want to touch one lest I get their spit, throw up, urine, feces, or whatever else on me.

Sure, some of you will berate me for this, but I think I bring up some pretty valid points. And in the end I suppose all this rant has done is make me feel better, though I hope to have enlightened a few of you with an outlook which strays from the social norm, and perhaps next time someone tells you they don't want kids, you will think a little better of them.

StumbleUpon

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

So I spent a decent amount of my time on StumbleUpon (if you have a desk job, it is likely that you already know about this website. If you don't, I suggest you stay away lest it suck you in as well) and I "stumbled" upon this terrific video which I wish to share with you.

School Answering Machine


Check it out. I think some of you may know people who it is addressed to. If only we could be so blunt and get away with it.

General Happenings

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Much has happened in the past few weeks.

1. I am told that today our refrigerator is FINALLY being fixed (for all of you that were holding your breath). Does this mean that I'll be able to have my friends over now? Hopefully. I've been wanting to have dinner parties or girl friends over for wine, but I have yet to do it. This is mostly due to the fact that my room mate has completely taken over the "living room" with all of her clothes and her bike. She's going out of town for a week and I see it as a perfect opportunity to have some friends over because then I'll know that the apartment will at least look presentable. Present moment I have no idea what I'll be coming home to.

2. Very good news: I have been told that I'm being moved up to assistant editor! I'm so excited. They said it would take some time but that that was the next step. I suppose staying late to learn is paying off! Does this mean I'll get a raise? My fingers are crossed.

3. My sister has decided she wants to go into post production too, which I think is a great fit for her. I honestly don't know why she hasn't thought to pursue it before. Because of this, she wants to take an internship in New York. I think that's great, and I'm willing to send emails to some people I know to try to get her one, I just hope she puts in hard work and doesn't disappoint! I know she's already looked into some of the places that I've interned and we'll see what happens with that. She's going to have to find a sublet because three people in my tiny apartment would be too much and probably unfair to my room mate. My fingers are crossed for her.

That's about all for now. I'm just trying to make it through this last little bit of bad weather before spring weather officially makes its way to the city. I've been focusing on trying to cut back excess in my life. I've been drinking much less, eating better, and trying oh so hard to stay away from the M&M jar at work. I've also been trying to better budget myself by taking less cabs and spending less money when brunching with my friends (i.e no drinking). So far I'm feeling much better and I've been making much more time for the gym as well. We'll see how long that one lasts!