Last Sunday was a day for the books. The first half was spent at Smorgasburg in Prospect Park (my first time going) and the later part of the day was spent at a Yankees game. A classic nyc day if there ever was one
my ny
Category: NYC
my ny
nyc through my eyes….or lens
to have and have not
I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m 26 or that I’m living on my own for real for the first time or a combination of both of those things, but I’ve discovered certain ways about myself that have developed as of late. Ways that I go about my life; things that I choose to have or have not. Some of these things are pretty trivial but have become very much a part of my fiber as a 26 year old. I couldn’t help but take a little inventory of them.
Things I can’t live without:
Rainbow Sprinkles– If I’m gonna pay for the ice cream I will ALWAYS pay for rainbow sprinkles too.
Facial Hair– On a man of course. It used to be optional to me but I’ve found in recent times it’s become a real necessity. Like a sign of ones manhood.
Dark Chocolate Chips– I keep a bag in the freezer at all times. They complete me.
Night Cream– How did I never invest in this before? My face has been thanking me lately.
DVR– I don’t think I could ever go back.
Multivitamins– I know I don’t eat all the things my body needs so these are the next best thing. It’s time to start really taking care of this vessel I’m using.
Library Card– Free books….need I say more??
Eggs– I was never much of an egg eater growing up (My sister filled that role) but since moving here I find that eggs have become an essential part of my diet. They’re just so versatile and delicious!
Glass Water Bottle– Free liquid refreshment from a tap in a reusable container? Done.
Things I can live without:
Mini Jean Skirts– There’s a time and a place and I feel like that time and place already happened for me. And it was great while it lasted.
Designer Duds– I thought I would get sucked into the “label” game when I moved to NYC but I think being here has only reinforced the ridiculousness of it all. Old Navy V-Necks for life!
MTV– I used to really love me some “crappy tv” as my college roommates called it and don’t get me wrong, every now and then I’ll flip through the channels and indulge but I find myself not really caring about the absurd programs on this channel anymore.
Pop– Yes, I still call it pop. Out of sight out of mind and I’m better off for it.
Bottled Water– I just hate paying for things that I can get for free.
Beauty Magazines– I’ve read it all before Cosmo and I’ll never fit into any of those clothes Vogue. Sorry.
Clubbing– I love to dance but I also like to have the space to do so. And the air to breathe. And the people to hear or talk to. And the bar to get to.
Iceberg Lettuce– My mom loves it so that’s what I grew up eating and I still hate it. If I want water I’ll just drink it. No need to chew it with dressing. Romaine for this girl!
The iPhone– I survived before it and I’ll continue to do so without it in my life. Sorry iLovers. I just don’t get the hype.
sister visit
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| Cassie having her first NYC hotdog! |
Last weekend my sister came to visit for a few days and boy did we have fun. We may have spent 90% of our time eating but it was a great time nonetheless. She had only been to the city once before (on a bus trip…..terrible idea) so I was excited to show her the city that I’ve come to know so far and there were still plenty of places that I haven’t even been yet that we got to check out together. I don’t remember the last time we spent that much time together, just us. It’s weird when you realize that you’re to the age where you may never live in the same place as your sibling. Sure we go off to college but when you’re there you know it’s only temporary, and you certainly aren’t thinking about where you and your sister will settle down someday. Or that it might not end up being anywhere near each other. For the record, being a nanny WILL make you start to think about these things!!
We visited the World Trade Center and found St. Paul’s Chapel, which is the oldest functioning church in Manhattan. It’s directly across the street from the World Trade Center and was somehow undamaged on September 11th. The inside still acts as a memorial so it was really cool to go inside and see it all. Living in Western New York during that time I felt so removed from it all but now that I’m here it’s crazy to think about the fact that most of the people I’ve met, were here for it all and experienced it first hand. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like.
Our family happens to love going to museums and Cassie and I are definitely no exception. When my dad and poppop were here for my birthday they ended up going to the American Museum of Natural History while I was at work one morning. I was crushed! So it became a necessity when Cassie was here. It also happened that one of the exhibits at the time was all about whales, so I just had to see it.
I couldn’t believe how much is actually in that building! We definitely could have spent the entire day inside and still wouldn’t have seen everything. I loved the whales obviously and we both enjoyed the animal exhibits. They look so real!!
I’m also convinced that everything in that museum DOES come to life at night.
Of course we had to stroll around Central Park! And in our strollings we happened to stumble upon a Wafels and Dinges truck! If you haven’t experienced one of these, it’s a must! Any description I try to give won’t do these treats justice so I won’t begin to try. Just know that if you happen to stumble upon one, just do it!
In honor of Cinco de Mayo(which was actually the next day) we got a little fancy for a Mexican feast! Why wouldn’t we?? Our meal was amazing but somehow Cassie ended up with all the other pictures from the evening. Between her camera and mine, we’d have a complete album of our trip.
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| Just look at these two fools. Having the time of their lives |
The final day of Cassie’s visit was spent at the zoo! I’m sorry, but there is something about the zoo that will always bring out the child in me. I could see the same animals everyday and still get excited.
I just love animals!
I was surprised at how many animals they keep at this zoo. It’s in central park so I wasn’t expecting a whole lot but it was really great. Every now and then I’d forget that I was in the middle of the city!
The polar bear was my particular favorite, even though he was asleep and we all enjoyed the children’s zoo too. The large turtle shells, in particular, gave us about 20 minutes of pure childish entertainment.
Overall the weekend was amazing! We ate too much, took naps every day, walked till our feet hurt, and bonded like we hadn’t done in a while. It was just what we both needed. I hope now that the next time she comes to visit she won’t be so afraid of the subways and I can show her even more of my new city.
NYC brunch
Last Sunday I was fortunate to get another day off! Due to this glorious fact my roommate and I planned to have our first NYC brunch with a friend of ours. When our friend told us she wouldn’t be able to make it we were pretty bummed and after some deliberation decided that the show must go on! And were we ever glad it did! We had originally planned to go to a restaurant called 3 of Cups and decided that we still would. I had checked out the menu online already and knew it was meant to be!
I can’t even begin to express how marvelous the experience was. The restaurant is Italian so the inside is all exposed brick and dark wood and beautiful-ness. I was already in love. We were seated at a quaint table for 2 and had the whole area to ourselves.
**Side Note: It’s so nice to know that I can live with my best friend, go out to brunch with my best friend, and still have a million things to talk about.**
Upon sitting we ordered the usual brunch refreshments, Mimosas and Bloody Marys! Which, by the way, were complimentary with out brunch entrees! I was in heaven obviously.
And then there was the food. Words can not express.
My roommate ordered the Polenta d’Amore: Poached eggs served on soft polenta with sauteed peppers, onions, and Italian sausage.
I snagged a bite of this deliciousness and wow. It was so savory and comforting. It was a perfect choice for the cold weather we’ve been having.
I ordered the Benedict alla Tre Di Cuppa: Poached eggs served on grilled foccacia with prosciutto and roasted red pepper hollandaise sauce.
I had seen this dish when I looked at the menu online and my mind was set. I knew I had to have this in my belly. And I’m so glad I did. Every bite was better than the first and I never wanted it to end. Seriously. The hollandaise was so yummy and the prosciutto so thin and the perfect saltiness. I made sure to eat the potatoes first so I could enjoy every bit of the eggs.
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| Seconds later this was the result. |
Three mimosas and a bloody mary later and we were the happiest girls in NYC. Every time our waiter came over to check on us we were too busy ooohing and aaaahing to reply with actual words. We told him (Nathan) that we would definitely be back again and that he should expect us. I hope he’s as excited as we are for that! I may even get the same meal again! I loved it that much. Did i mention the meal with 2 mimosas was only $15 and some change?? I could definitely get used to this brunch thing.
an exchange
He sat across from her on the subway. They had never met before.
Their eyes met. For a mere second alone.
She smiles. He smiles. She looks away, fidgeting with her hands.
Should she look again? Would he?
She does.
He does.
They smile again. Which he followed with a laugh.
She couldn’t help but laugh too.
They look away.
Three stops they go. Nothing more happens.
At the stop before hers, he begins to leave.
He faces away from her. She looks.
Seconds feel like years.
The doors open.
She looks.
He turns,
with a wave,
and a smile.
She smiles back.
He leaves.
the fear
I started going through some of my boxes that have been packed up since I moved home. It was time to get them into totes, throw away stuff I don’t want, and organize my life. Part of it was to make more room in my step dad’s man cave, part of it was to get ready for NYC. I have A LOT of crap.
As I was going through it all and thinking about where I would put these things in my NYC apartment, it slapped me a little. MY NYC APARTMENT. NYC. It scared me. I hadn’t realized how comfortable I had gotten here. How normal it had become. I enjoy seeing the people in my life whenever I feel like. Or at least knowing that they’re there. That won’t be the case for much longer. And for the first time that’s frightening me. I don’t know if this is what cold feet feels like but I can imagine that it’s similar. And so far it’s not enough to keep me from going through with the move, but I fear that it will as November gets closer.
I know moving is a scary thing. Especially since I’ve chosen one of the biggest cities in the world. But there’s something inside me that says I have to do this. And I hope that part stays stronger than this little fear creeping in. Even if I get there and decide to come back in a week.
I feel like this is going to get more stressful as the days go on.
