Over the River and Through the Woods to NYC I Go!

Although I usually like to start my entries with something semi-witty and creative, unpacking my life into a brand new city has temporarily sucked the creativity out of me. Never fear- it will return! However, I feel it's just too cruel to keep everyone anxiously waiting and excited to hear how my move-in process and first day in the city was. I'd like to first start off by noting that 4:30 AM is not a time I see...ever...and it was definitely not a time I wanted to see the day of my move. The drive here was sort of a blur seeing as I was in and out of consciousness. I do have vivid recollections of my beloved aunt picking on me...who knew there was a mattress store right across the street from my apartment? I mean really, it would have been HILARIOUS to see Aunt Debbie drive a huge truck through New York City and back home, just so I could fit a free box spring in with my belongings. It was quite the ordeal trying to figure out for days where I could get one in the city. Anyhow, we safely arrived to Astoria sans the box spring, and began trucking all of my belongings up to my new room! I really didn't have anything too terribly heavy...except my new desk. After seeing my aunt take out all of the pieces to that desk, I had never in my life wished so terribly that my little sister was there to assist...or just build it for me. Handi(wo)man I am not. Two and a half hours of hammering, screwing screws in, and holding pieces together so they wouldn't move later, the desk was complete...and I have never seen such a beautiful desk in all of my life. Special thanks to Target and its corporate geniuses who decided a desk should break down into a million pieces. Clearly they were not thinking of me. Rude. Anyways, after that was complete, it was time for mom and Aunt Debbie to venture back home.Many tears were shed and goodbyes were had as my wonderful roommates promised to take care of me. Then they were off.  Boxes had been emptied out and my belongings were shoved in random drawers and to top it all off, I didn't have a box spring yet, so I walked back up to my room which looked like something half way between a closet with a cot in it and what my sister's room looks like on a daily basis (Sorry, Ang). I did as much as I could with the room and then headed out to dinner to this adorable little Italian restaurant that my roommate's boyfriend works at. The food was beyond delicious (fresh mozzerella and sauted brussel sprouts covered in salt and pepper- orgasmic!), the ambiance was charming, and the wine was wonderful. It was not at all the evening I had imagined that my first night in the city would be. Instead of lying in bed homesick and crying, I had an awesome night out with great girls.


To those of you who were wondering how I was feeling about my first day of work, I was too overwhelmed to be anxious or worried about it. It didn't set in till around 9 PM the night before that there was in fact a reason I was here. My first day went really well though! My roommate walked to the train with me (which is about a 10 minute walk from our apartment) and then the ride was about 20 minutes right into Bryant Park. Not bad at all! It was super easy and I wasn't freaked out by the subways at all. Before doing my internship in Soho in January, I was really nervous about the subway system. Clearly, I've watched too many episodes of Criminal Minds and Law and Order: SVU. They don't bother me at all now. Everyone uses the mass transit system, they're well lit, and they're super busy during commuting times. I mean, I'm obviously careful and pay attention to my surroundings, but I don't live in fear either. Anyhow, everyone in the office is super down to earth and genuinely kind. I feel like it's definitely going to be a very positive environment to work in. It'll definitely be a switch from working on my feet and talking to people for hours, but I think I'll adjust. I mean, they have chocolate there...what's not to like? OH! Speaking of chocolate, Dylan's Candy Bar is right next to the subway station I get off at. This could potentially be a problem, but potentially rather wonderful as well. There was actually chocolate from Israel that someone brought in today, and I must admit, their version of a Kit-Kat is far superior to ours. Their chocolate is much richer and less processed-tasting. Aside from indulging in sweets, I did actually work today too- do not be fooled. I live and work in such great areas. Bryant Park is awesome-free ice skating, lots of cute vendors, good places to eat, and the New York Public Library! On my way home from work, I also spent some time admiring the awesome places I'm surrounded by. I cannot wait for people to visit me so that I can try any of the millions of cafes/bars/restaurants I'm surrounded by, a Wing Bar, my drunken pleasure-Taco Bell, and lots of shopping!

I feel like I'm still sort of on auto-pilot, but so far I'm adjusting well! When I have a chance this weekend to pull some more of my new life together, I'll let you know how I'm fairing as a small town girl living in the big city.

Survival Tactics with Yours Truly

Fun fact: Did you know that almost 12 inches of snow puts Poughkeepsie into a very frantic, caveman-like state? Upon arriving to this great city yesterday, I checked into my hotel and marched myself up to my room to enjoy Hocus Pocus and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! If I had to be stuck in a hotel on Halloween, I was going to celebrate the right way. However, this devestating snow storm (whose snow has pretty much all melted away) caused power outages across the city. Now luckily, I did have power....which was awesome, because this is the only hotel I've been to that has the ABC Family channel. However, the cable was out...and for some reason I couldn't connect to the Internet on my laptop...and it was only 4 PM. I sat in my room racking my brain for things to do to kill time. I got creative.

1. I debated reading the bible in the night stand drawer...I opted out.
2. I read the Welcome to Our Hotel binder, educating myself about the hotel's many ammenities and accomodations, in addition to the area's dining options and attractions.
3. Since that binder was so helpful, I ordered Chili's take-out.
4. I went to pick-up my take-out, and I bought some mouthwash from Walgreens on the way there.
5. I ate my Quesadilla Explosion salad.
6. I couldn't connect to the Internet on my laptop, but it was working on my iPhone. I watched Toy Story 3 on Netflix...on my iPhone.
7. I called several people....who didn't answer their phones.
8. I face-timed with my little cousin, Owie, loving his Woody costume. "Do ya feel lucky?"
9. I face-timed with Hannah and filled her in on my hotel adventures thus far.
10. Eventually I could connect to the Internet on my laptop, so I spent an hour looking for It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! I found one that kept freezing.
11. I started reading Bridget Jones' Diary, which isn't quite as "screamingly funny" as USA Today claims it is.
12. I explored the closet equipped with an iron and ironing board. (Side note- the iron is the same type of iron that I had trouble with in last week's hotel. It's some fancy, modern iron that has water inside it that is supposed to turn into steam once heated. My 1989 iron at home does not work like this. The metal bottom gets hot and you simply press your clothes when it's heated. This special iron had many buttons and settings and kept leaking on to my dress that I was trying to press! All I wanted was a wrinkle-free dress! Do you know how much work I went through to get it half-way decent looking? I'll tell you. That stupid iron kept leaking water that wasn't turning into steam on to my dress! I was determined though, so I kept trying to press it. I eventually tried to turn up the heat, hoping the stupid water would turn to steam...that sort of worked..lots of steam came out of the iron...which was right below the smoke detector...and I got nervous so I just turned the fancy iron off. I was frustrated and left with a horribly soaked dress....and a hair dryer. I plugged that sucker in and went to town drying my dress. My mom is so worried that when I move out I'll starve because I don't know how to cook. How about teaching me how to use a modern day iron, Mom?)

Clearly, in the event of power outtages, I will survive.