Since PR...

I am back! I worked for a little (and got lots of holiday gifts- mostly chocolate), had a work party (at a warehouse/ artist commune in Red Hook), and went home to CT last week (so nice to chill out). Osho came to visit for Christmas, which was nice. We ate a lot of food and walked in Northwest Park with my dogs.

Over last week, I started another blog called WE CONVERSED (weconversed.tumblr.com). It is a passion project where I get to talk to my friends, write, and be creative. I am trying to ask questions that really get to the heart of who it is I am talking to and inspire readers (or at least, that's the plan). The blog is something I hope to continue even once I start work again this Thursday, but I know I will be on a bit of a time crunch. I am very happy with it so far (regardless) and interviewing people on and off.

In the rest of my time, I have been doing a lot of eating and coaching. I have eaten at Momofuku Noodle Bar (get the captain crunch truffles!), Fishtag, Bricklane Curry House ($10 buffet?!?), BoxKite coffee (just opened on my block), Sumtum Der (all about those papaya salads), and Macaron Parlor (hazelnut milk cookie is to die for). I also bar hopped into East Village Social and Bua, saw Anchorman 2 (it was ok), stopped into Strtand (always a good time), and skated with Osho (so nice).

Later today, I am going shopping with the bf and meeting him after work. We are going to a warehouse party in Brooklyn for New Years with a few friends, which should be super fun. TBC...

xoxo
S

Puerto Rico!!!

I went to San Juan and this is what I did:

Monday was devoted to arriving in San Juan. When leaving the airport late Monday night, we traveled with ‘The Candyman’ in a taxi. The Candyman (that is what people actually call him) was sitting next to me on the plane and was giving both Osho and myself advice on where to go and what to do in San Juan. He was a local cab driver and waited for us to pick up our baggage and leave together via cab. He was nice, but we were a bit taken aback by his friendliness. We stayed at The Water Club, which was right on the beach in Isla Verde. Some other perks included our building being furnished with neon lights, a rooftop pool, and top rated restaurant called Zest. The weather was a bit humid, but otherwise pleasantly warm with occasional light rain showers.

Tuesday, we visited the beach right in front of our hotel and figured out the bus system to get to Old San Juan. We waited a while for the bus, which took us through an interesting route that revealed a few poverty-stricken areas with empty building and broken down cars. When we asked for direction on where to get off, we received a cacophony of replies from several bus patrons of where to go. Osho and I agreed that everyone was just being friendly and helpful, which was kind of nice. Once we arrived in Old San Juan, we stopped into a coffee shop and picked up some amazing coffee (we both got mocha frappes, which had a strong coffee flavor and grainy texture). We were half starved and asked the barista for an ‘authentic Puerto Rican’ food recommendation and ended up at El Jabarito. Overall, I thought the food was good, but nothing spectacular. We got shrimp in garlic lemon butter with onions, rice with red beans, fried plantains, and chicken empanadas. The shrimp and red beans were pretty damn good while everything else was ok. Then, we went searching for a few places we had researched before hand and ended up at the fortress El Moro. It was really big, old, and had an amazing view of other parts of the island and the sea. Besides the beautiful view, this major fortress was also near a gorgeous cemetery.  We continued our journey around Old San Juan via the free trolley and stayed on the entire way around. We then visited the famous Spicy Caribe spice shop (but I didn’t get any hot sauces because I didn’t like the samples I tried very much), Cigar House, Don Q (for a free rum sample, which I didn’t like very much- too strong and fake tasting), and the ‘best coffee in Puerto Rico’ at Café Cola’o (we thought the other place was better). We returned via bus (different route) in much less time and a different scenery (we went through Condado where I considered staying hotel-wise, which was very clean and beautiful). Once we got back to the hotel, we stopped by the beach for a quick dip, but it was too cold. We tried the pool, but it was also too cold. The sun had already set, so we grabbed food at Zest, the restaurant downstairs. We got sea bass with shrimp mofongo (mashed plantain specialty), clam chowder croquettes, and seafood chowder. Osho also ordered a disgusting martini, but let’s not talk about that.

Wednesday, we went back to Old San Juan after spending a bit of time lounging at the beach by our hotel. We immediately headed for Punto de Vista, a dive-y restaurant by the bus station. The food was AMAZING! We ordered a lot of food (and came back later for dinner, but agreed lunch was better): shrimp mofongo (to die for), fish tacos, and rice and beans. For dinner ( only a few hours later), we ordered chicken mofongo and chicken tacos, as well as amazing octopus salad placed in fried (savory) plantains. In between lunch and dinner, there was torrential rain. We decided to run through the rain since it wasn’t letting up and headed for the Bacardi Factory via ferry and a very short taxi ride. The factory was the home of the largest rum distillery in the world and the Bacardi company’s taxes apparently fund a large part of the economy of Puerto Rico. The tour was interesting to the extent that I didn’t know much about rum or the company’s history. Although the entire affair (mini trolley ride, film, tour, tasting, and visit to the gift shop) was like an hour and a half commercial, I would say the actual tour was largely historical and scientific rather than merely BUY BUY BUY. I tried both the Dragonberry and Wolfberry flavors, which I decided I didn’t like because I strongly dislike sweet drinks. I bought a bottle of regular Bacardi because it was only $10 after taxes and I promised friends I would bring something back. I think the visit was definitely worth it. After returning via taxi and ferry to Old San Juan, Osho and I awkwardly galloped through the rain to our new favorite coffee shop in Puerto Rico- Café Cuatro Sombras. We each bought a bag of their coffee (which smelled amazing and apparently is available online at http://www.cuatrosombras.com/ if you want some bomb coffee ;) ).  At night, we went kayaking in the bioluminescent bay within the mangroves. Every time the water moved by boat, fish, or paddle, the plankton in the salty water would light up. The area was very dark, which made the plankton easy to see. They were much more concentrated in an open lake that we reached. Apparently, each plankton can only release its light every 24 hours meaning each one can only light up in response to movement once per night (there were a lot so seeing them wasn’t an issue). I had expected the water to glow blue, but the tiny plankton literally looked like diamonds were scattering across the water. It was so cool and beautiful. Adding the fact that Osho had never kayaked before, the entire excursion was quite the adventure.

Thursday, we had planned on visiting the rain forest El Yunque and Puerto Rico’s famous Luqillo Beach. However, it was raining and flooding nonstop all morning so the trip was postponed until Friday. We decided to sleep in a bit and get lunch at our hotel out of convenience, but also because there was not really another option if we wanted to eat because it was raining so hard outside and half of the street our hotel was on was flooded. I got a chimichurri steak sandwich, which was ok even though I was starving. Osho really like his Ahi Tuna sandwich. We headed over to the Puerto Rican Museum of Art nearby, which was structurally beautiful and had an interesting garden in the back. The art was definitely different than I expected in the sense that it did focus on island culture through different lenses than I had experienced as a tourist and found myself reading more about pieces and how they related to politics, race, and history in PR. Since it was still raining, we headed over to the casino near our hotel. Anyone who knows me would know I am not into gambling, but Osho had wanted to go play a few games and I was a bit curious regarding what would happen. Osho put down $80 and sat at a $10 minimum table for Blackjack. He started winning and probably tripled his winnings, so invited me to play with some of the money. I figured it was harmless and played a round or two before separating the amount of money he paid plus a bit he earned into a ‘don’t touch pile’ to make myself feel like the rest of what we were using was play money. We stayed for about 45 minutes total and starting losing towards the end, but had a good time overall. Plus, Osho walked away with a little bit of money. Overall, it was kind of fun, but definitely not something I would do regularly (even though I was trying to be responsible about playing). We were both very tired and decided to stay in for the rest of the day to watch a Millionaire Matchmaker marathon. We also ordered from a tasty beach restaurant down the street called Al Alambique, where we got mussels, octopus mofongo, octopus salad, and ahi tuna with coconut rice. Everything was amazing and we had no regrets about how we spent the rainy, but relaxed day.

Friday, we actually went to El Yunque and Luqillo Beach on a tour. We had been told both were must see places, but El Yunque required a tour guide. Our guide took us up through the rain forest by bus and told us revelant history and nature facts. Next, we picked up food at a local spot within the forest and ate crab and shrimp tacos. The tacos were more like fat filo dough rolls with seafood than meat inside a corn chip. After, we hit the beach, which was gorgeous. Osho and I picked up a coconut mojito and cut open coconut (fresh coconut water!) to drink on the beach. It was a nice and relaxing time. Once we headed back to our hotel, we spent some time at Carolina Beach before changing and heading off to dinner at Al Alambique again. This time, we tried the scallops with coconut rice and re-ordered the mussels and ahi tuna over coconut rice. After, we headed over the airport and watch Sherlock Holmes before falling asleep in the sky.

For the rest of the weekend, I am coaching and sleeping. Very tired.

TBC…

Xoxo

S 

Wisconsin for Thanksgiving

My creative juices (and perhaps ability to think) have dried up.

It is the first time in a long time where I have traveled somewhere and didn’t have any work I HAD to do. I don’t have any papers to write or jobs to apply to. I can just chill out. Plus, I haven’t been reading as much as I would like or watching as many shows. I will have a bit of time to catch.

Plus, even when I get back to the city, I will be able to hang out some more because I am going to be on vacation the following week- in Puerto Rico. I feel like I really needed a break. Have been feeling constantly exhausted with working or coaching every day. Lately, I have been working really late and didn’t have time to go to the gym, which has been depressing to say the least.

There is part of me that wants to fall asleep and another that is invigorated by all of the possibilities and time to be spent frolicking.

Right now, I should focus on going to Wisconsin, but it is hard to stop my mind from wandering into sunsets and sand. For now, I am excited to see my family and don’t think I will mind the (even colder) weather too much. I also won’t mind the abundance of food that comes with Thanksgiving, either. The combination of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah this year seems interesting enough- I actually bought a few people gifts mid-Amazon binge (I regret nothing).

I wrote a while ago that I thought I would have everything figured out by November. My assessment is that this is somewhat true because I am much more used to my job and have a better idea of where certain other aspects of my life are going. I never really felt like I was floating around, searching for some meaning in my life, but there was a large part of me that wanted to understand and feel more comfortable with my decisions. I still might go back to school relatively soon, feel more serious (whatever that means) with the boo, don’t know if I will be spending another year in my apartment or not (I would like to, but this doesn’t have to be decided yet), and have my short term traveling planned (October weekend trips, Wisconsin, meet the families in the city, going to Puerto Rico).

I also planed my birthday while waiting for the plane since I was so early. New learning: bottle service is expensive. Then again, I already knew that.

Thanksgiving was nice and I got to see most of my relatives. I returned to the city Friday night with my parents and brother. Everyone slept at my apartment and it went ok. Saturday, we brunched with Osho at La Palapa. After my parents left for home, Osho and I looked at animals at an animals shelter near by and picked up hot chocolate at Birdbath. We ventured over to his apartment, where we ate dinner that his mom made with his parents and brother (delish). Sunday and Monday morning, I ran chores. 

The latest(ish)

What have I been up to?
During the week, I hung out and gymed. Otherwise, my weekend was slightly more eventful. I have been spending a lot of time trying to get organized.

I started coaching skating in Stuy Town and like it quite a bit so far. Saturday after coaching, we celebrated Ora's birthday party at our apartment and Solas- woooooo! Proceeded to eat a gross amount of food after with Osho (froyo, pizza, and burritos). To our credit, we had a very early (5 pm) dinner at Frank's that day (grilled octopus, black linguine with calarmari, and lamb ragu- so good!).

Sunday after coaching, I hung out with Osho, then got dinner with Sophie at Numero 28. The end of the day resulted in finishing both MasterChef Jr. (Hulu) and Extreme Cheapskates (Netflix).

What have I been thinking about?
I have also been reading a lot of digital media news and news news. Things are happening in the world and I am thinking about writing about it- TBD...

In unrelated news, my brother now has a girlfriend... #weird

What next?
Thanksgiving is coming up, so off to Wisconsin I will go. I am pretty excited.

Osho and I started thinking about potential vacation plans. If we end up going somewhere, Puerto Rico is looking like our destination of choice. I really want to stay on the beach.

---

I will one day think of more interesting things to make up share about myself.

xoxo
S

HOLLA-WEE(KE)N(D)

Last weekend:
I went to Windsor with Liliana, Shelly, and Michelle two weekends ago. None of them have ever been to my town and I wouldn't go as far as to say that they were culture shocked, but my small town and the things we did there amounted to a very unique experience. The leaves had already blushed with color as the mountains we passed through by train echoed the beams of sunlight. Sometimes, it is really nice to get out of the city and just see the tress.

Northwest Park

Otherwise, it was nice to go home, see my parents, and pet my dogs. We ate at a huge salad for lunch, hit up a corn maze on a winery while eating apple cider doughnuts and freshly picked apples, visited Brown's Harvest to pick up pumpkins, hit up the Pepperidge Farm store (#GOLDFISH), walked my dogs in Northwest park, dined at a Himilayan restaurant in Hartford, stopped by Target and the $ store, and brunched/ feasted by my mom's doing. Mostly the weekend revolved around food- we cooked and I washed all of the dishes from the apple sauce and apple crisp we made, plus Liliana brought pumpkin cake while Shelly and Michelle brought cookies from Moishe's.

We didn't partake in any activities that were particularly Halloween-y, but it finally felt like Fall.

Walking through the forest

I also managed to go grocery shopping out of my mom's cabinet in order to avoid the lines at TJ's and skip the payment part of the shopping experience. #freefood #lovemymom

This past week: I got Google Analytics certified (but not qualified), but I am pleased. Also, still embarking on the MOOC journey with Behavioral Econ and Marketing classes. They are interesting, but I need to make more time for them.

HOLLA-WEE(KE)N(D)/// This weekend:

Thursday night, we had an apartment party and went out in the East Village. Lots of people attended while I morphed from Teddy Bear to Leopard/ Cheetah(?).

Teddy Bear and the Little Kid it belongs to ;)

Leopard at Whiskey Town on Hallow's Eve

Friday night, I went to Zombie Prom at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg with Shelly and Adrian. I did my own and Shelly's make up- it was awesome. We also borrowed some fake blood from Troy for extra effect. We looked pretty awesome and had a nice time. The venue was really cool- bowling alley + concert venue + restaurant. We didn't bowl, but we loved up some live music and ate food. I got a root beer float and it was glorious.

Zombified for Zombie Prom at Brooklyn Bowl

Saturday, I was all over the place. I woke up early-ish to go to the gym, followed by reuniting with Cassidy for brunch at Cafe Mogador. I enjoyed the Morrocan Benedict. After, I hung out with her and her Northwestern friends at Washington Square Park, Union Square, and the Highline. I left them to go uptown and meet Osho at the Museum of Natural History. We looked at lots of animal- related exhibits and then ran to get food because we were starving. We walked further North in the UWS and settled on burritos from Oaxaca, which were amazing (we got shrimp and chicken- sooooo good). After, I met up with Jon at Union Square to see Ender's Game, which was a great movie. After, we went to a party in Stuy Town, but I didn't stay too long because I was pretty tired.

Brunch with Cassidy at Cafe Mogador

Sunday, I coached and did a few chores. Later in the day, I hung out with Osho. He cooked me dinner and we watched Pulp Fiction. It is a good, but strange movie. 

As for upcoming plans, I am mostly just up to work and hanging out with friends. Hopefully, a quick vacation will be coming up. Otherwise otherwise, my next break will be Thanksgiving. 

More to come...

xoxo

S

Boston, a cold, and Windsor!

I haven't written in a while, but if I were to list things I have been up to, here they are:
- work
- coaching
- finished a book
- hanging out with friends
- eating out (too many places to remember)
- went to B-town with the Boo. We stayed in Belmont and hung out a lot in Cambridge. It was weird being in a real college town, rather one of the most famous in the world. Entonces, we ate A LOT OF FOOD: ice cream at J.P. Licks; burritos and quesadillas at Felipe's; dark hot chocolate at L.P. Burdick; shrimp white wine pasta and black squid ink pasta at The Daily Catch; a canolli and lobster tail from Mike's Pastries in the North End; pizza at a little local joint; Osho cooked curry chicken for me in the middle of the night; Osho's mom made colfi (frozen icey dessert with pistachios and cardamom) for us to eat; lots of Jingo's (the ultimate cracker snack thing); and probably some other stuff I can't think of right now. We also went to the New England Aquarium and saw SO MANY ANIMALS- penguins, seals, sea lions, and turtles- oh my! Otherwise, we watched some tv, slept a lot, and walked around Harvard Square quite a bit. It was really fun, but the drive out there took a while. Maybe next time we will drive!
- started some online classes in Marketing and Behavioral Economics (that I need to make a greater commitment to)
- celebrated Jon's 21st birthday by getting him an engraved flask (it was pretty cool, have to admit)
- Watched My Big Fat Revenge- only partially amusing - among many other tv shows, while simultaneously getting Osho obsessed with Catfish
- went to the doctor like a real person; got a flu shot
- talked to the parents after their return from Jamaica
- did more cute stuff with the boyfriend: Tuesday he picked me up at work, brought me chocolates, took me out to dinner at BXL, and watched tv with my roommates. It doesn't get any cuter than that.
- I had a cold last week. I am over it.
- I am going to Windsor this weekend with Michelle, Shelly, and Liliana- yayyyyy!

TBC

Well, that was fun. Also, good job reading this far. Will write something more interesting next time.

TTFN, internet.

xoxo
S

An Ode to Marcus

Your name is not Osho.
You could live in a shoe.
I know you are actually in the Pubic Triangle.
It could be a zoo.
Rather than go to class
you think this blog is all about you.
Hoo hoo. Hoo hoo.
Michael Jackson bids you adieu.
But actually, this photo of Jay Leno is actually the only known photo on him on the internet:

Photo courtesy of Biography.com

#sexpot #LastLineTotesRhymed

Mi madre visits and other small NYC adventures

Hey internet!

I haven't been writing much lately, but I have been busy. However, this excuse makes me question my own focus: Am I making time to relax? Working hard enough? Writing enough? Advancing my knowledge by reading and learning as much as I should? Seeing my friends enough? Is anything I am doing enough or am I just slacking? The whole thought process makes my head spin, but I know nothing will ever be enough. As I have written before, I am not sure that I ever can or will be satisfied, so I question everything. Then again, maybe when I stop questioning everything is the time to worry.

Maybe I still am shiny and green and new. I am almost done reading Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (I read slow) and The Principles by Ray Dalio. I watched the pilot of Skins: Season 7 yesterday, but was too tired to watch more (I WILL WATCH THE REST). Speaking/ writing of which, I need to get my binge tv watching on. A more serious goal that I have is to get more qualifications/ certification in Google AdWords, Analytics, and DoubleClick. I also want to pick up my skating/ coaching, but I am going away the next few weekends (plus the season hasn't started yet), so I will get on that shortly.

I think I write a lot about my dissatisfactions/ worries, so here are some things I am lucky to have:
- amazing friends (so much food, so much excitement)
- living in NYC (the city of my dreams)
- having had the opportunity to travel the world and attend a top university
- lovely family
- awesome boyfriend
- interesting job
- a brain that seems to still be working

As for a general societal affliction to rant about: just because two people are dating doesn't mean that they are getting married and/or will have children in the near future- especially if said human is 20-years-old in present day America. Said human also has no idea what a 'serious relationship' is, so for everyone asking my if it's serious, I don't even know what that means. I like my boo and that is what I know right now. I can also say things and people change in a fickle city like this place, so don't count on anything.

As for uncertainties, I (naively) thought that once I had a job and apartment, I would know what to expect out of myself and others and life in general. Even now, that seems dumb. I definitely have a better handle on things, but I have so much I want to do though the finite details keep changing.

---

On a more sane(?) note, this is what I did recently:
- Hung out with the boo
- Went to Alice's Tea Cup, the Tenement Museum, and Ngam with mi madre (+ we walked all over the city, stopping through some stores, Hester Street Fair, and Chinatown)
- Coached a little
- Went to Liliana's birthday dinner in Fort Greene (I went to Brooklyn?!?) and got some of the best ice ever (Mexican Hot Chocolate- say what?) at Ample Hills (http://www.amplehills.com/flavors.php). It was amazing.
- Read some bookage
- Hit up Mad Square Eats (Calexico!) and saw Don Jon

Overall, I think I am living the way I want- in the city I love with the people I care for, doing fun things, running around a lot, eating amazing food, and making some money. This girl can't complain.

Updates on other things happening in this girl's life to come!

xoxo
S

Growing

I can barely believe that it is already October. It was only April when I got my first apartment, May when I graduated, June when I started my job, and July when I met my now boyfriend. But it's October now and I am more settled into this life I am living- that of a supposed adult.

I keep joking that I am only a real adult when I get groceries. Perhaps this is because my grocery shopping is a macrocosmic representation of my state of mind: I enter the store with a purpose, but am rarely ever sure what I want. There are too many options and I become crippled by indecision. The things I thought I wanted seem less appealing in comparison to new options. Yet, sometimes, I know exactly what I want, but that is rare. Occasionally, I will walk in and walk out with nothing because I have faced and accepted my own inaction. In other words, sometimes I am not even sure if I want what I have or if I have what I want- not because of my own original thoughts, but the influence of society and its culture and my impending anxiety. I over-think things until they seem meaningless, which makes the next day more confusing once I care again.

Nevertheless, there is so much I want out of life- to do, to accomplish, to be- like sucking the marrow out of life. I want it all- that might be lofty or unrealistic, but I am that type of person who can make it here, in this big city (and that is enough for now). I am lucky enough to have friends that make this strange place fun instead of lonely, because NYC can be pretty lonely. The beauty is knowing that all of this might not last- for whatever reason- so I need to appreciate it now- my amount of responsibility, the food I eat, the friends I love, my health, and humor. All of it is fleeting, so I might as well live my life how I want to now. This thought process hasn't changed for me.

The way I have been living has changed slightly (student to real person or whatever that means), but I am still me. I am just figuring out exactly what I want and refining that (if I will ever know) and learning more about myself and the world. I know I have so much more to learn, so I am growing.

---

Otherwise, the latest in the L&T's: went to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, ate lots of food, passed my basic DFA exam, and plan on taking more. As always, I need to write more. What I am looking forward to: mom coming on Saturday and going to Boston with Osho the weekend after that.

xoxo
S

Since this blog resembles a 15-year-old's diary...

Dearest Internet,

In case you were wondering what the latest was:
I have a boyfriend. His name is Osho and he trades things. He is really smart and good to me, and right now, I couldn't be giddier (for me). I am not sure where it will go, but I am young, so I am embracing the hazy future (it seems to be happy haze).

At work:
I got Friday off, went to visit the New York Times building today, and am spending the day at Google for a training on Wednesday. Can't lie- feel pretty giddy about this, too. Otherwise, work has been pretty busy and I am somewhat getting more used to it, but also still not used to it in a lot of other senses- like I am not always sure what the protocol is in certain situations (and by that I don't mean what the right thing to do is, but a thing at all- thankfully my coworkers are always willing to lend a hand or explain something). Speaking of which, the people I work with are really nice.

This weekend:
Thursday, I went hopping around the EV with Osho and finished the night at Two Bros, after which he asked if I wanted to be official.
Friday, I got groceries (like a real person- job, apartment, boyfriend, groceries- all real people things) in attempts to avoid the line (there was still a 30 minute wait and I freaked a little about the crowdedness, but survived that weekly atrocity). Later, I went to the gym and caught up on some tv watching- something I hadn't done in a while- can you say bad Netflix movies and binge watching Archer and Arrested Development? I really needed the day to chill out, which I haven't done in a while.
Saturday, I slept in, then hit up Joe's and Grom in the West Village with Osho. Then, we sat in WSP and he walked he home because he is the cutest.
Sunday, I coached and then I brunched at Westville with Liliana and Sammie- it felt like forever since I had seen them. After Westville, we hit up Ray's Candy Bar and tried the deep fried oreos and beignets- so unhealthy, but so good! I miss my girls and need to hang out more often :) I fell asleep wicked early because I was exhausted from life/ skating for the first time again in a few weeks.

Some slightly related thoughts:
- I feel in shape enough, but that there is always so much room for improvement when it comes to my own skating. Nothing ever is or will be good enough. It is very frustrating trying to love and have fun with something I can only associate with hard work and dedication. Yet, it also feels so good to be able to spin and jump because the only thing bringing me back to earth is gravity.
- I have this constant, begging question of What now? What's next? What more can I do? I know what I have is great and enough- I have so much to be thankful for and proud of achieving, but every bar in set higher once we reach the apex of that goal. Again, I find that nothing I do is ever going to be or will be good enough. I will always greedily want more- because I am human and because of the pressures of everyday society.
- Whenever I walk the streets of NYC, I perceive so many people as well dressed and confident. Yet, this morning, I considered how lonely it is to live and walk the streets surrounded by so many people- who are all feeling the same shivers of shaken confidence, always comparing themselves to others. The irony is that everyone feels the same and if they stopped to consider the shared feelings, they would still feel lonely- maybe even more so. Perhaps this is a double irony. So many feelings- trapped inside so many souls shedding brightness as the weather cools and the clouds darken. I will embrace the gloominess because I am not alone, but surrounded by beating hearts. Remember, love abounds.

When I think of more things, I will write them to keep you updated (you in the general sense, but consider if the internet were a person.. .)...

Will write soon!

xoxo
S

The latest---

Thursday: Went to an advertising party at Woven in Soho. Got dinner with Lakshmi at Spice (EV).
Friday: Went to Kashvi's Birthday/ Housewarming. Saw The Room at Sundance Theater with Michelle, Joe, Shelly, and some other characters. The Room was ridiculous and I am happy I went to the midnight screening.
Saturday: Central Park Zoo, chilling in Central Park, Absinthe at William Barnacles, Dinner at Kin Shop, dessert at Spot, hung out with Jon and Warren at Benny's Burritos and my apartment/ listened to some musakkkk
Sunday: Slept in, brunch at La Palapa (sooooooo good), walked through Chelsea Market, hit up the Highline, minor window shopping in Meatpacking, and walking through Chelsea (in attempts to visit galleries, all of which seem to be closed on Sundays)

Coaching is going to start again soon. I have this Friday off. Been going to the gym, eating, spending time with friends, and not writing enough. More TBD...

xoxo
S

It's getting colder

Dear Internet,

Not much is new in the Life and Times of yours truly. But maybe instead I should say, "This is the true story of one working girl living in an apartment with two roommates in the East Village, but also living in Excel off by Madison Square Park."

But, if we are going to get into it: I didn't labor on Labor Day (went home, still wearing white); classes started for my friends (I am surviving so far); I am not celebrating Rosh Hashanah like my mom would like to me to (actually doing something, like going to synagogue- but Happy New Year!); my British friend Lakshmi is in town so we are going to an advertising party together (because there is going to be free stuff); and I started watching Arrested Development on Netflix. I also half-heartedly started re-reading Slaughterhouse Five.

Weekend plans? Parties, the zoo, and fancy food!

Where have I eaten/ ate food at work from lately? City Cakes; Hill Country; Pinkberry (we got it catered); Burrito Box; Whole Foods; See's Candy; Murray's Bagels; Veniero's; and my mom's cooking (it's the shit).

Changing with the oncoming seasons

It rained a little today, almost like a foreshadowing of Autumn after the long days of inconsistent heat and scattered clouds.

As the calendar is slowly creeping into sweater weather and everyone anticipates taking their last few trips to the beach, classes are going to be starting for my friends. In other words, I am not sure where that leaves me. Of course, I am excited for them, but I am overwhelmed by the idea that I am not joining them. I know I can still go to the parties and won't have all of those papers, but it won't be the same. I won't be the same. Nothing is changing for me, but I don't know how to handle the difference that will come between now and the next few weeks. Will my friends no longer have time for me like a vapid summer fling? Or will more people be ready to get together at the drop of a hat because more of us are here together? I am hopeful, but not naive. Does that make me more of an adult? I don't think so.

As I wrote last week, I want it to be November. In November, I think I will have everything figured out and I will be more used to this life I am living. In November, I will be more used to my social situation, my job, and even myself as it relates to both. I won't have to worry or wonder what the next few days will be like.

It is funny because the uncertainty I am facing now is much different than the uncertainty I faced a few months ago, when I had just graduated and was unsure how my summer would be. I guess everything works out in the end. I truly can't complain about anything right now- it is pretty close to perfect: I have amazing and supportive friends, can pay my own bills/ be independent, live in the greatest city in the world, and know that the world is my oyster. If I really wanted to, I could just leave or change something- how I wear my hair, where I live, who I spend time with, and even what I do professionally. Maybe it wouldn't be a snap of my fingers, but I can change.

I can change, just like the seasons.

Thinking about November

The latest? Friday night I went out to dinner at La Palapa. Saturday, I skated and coached for the first time in a long time. It went well. Once I got back into the city, I went to the Guggenheim with Sammie and Alice. We got dinner at Purple Ginger and it was amazing. Sunday, I got brunch with Sophie at Hummus Place, hung out with another friend, and went over to Liliana's new apartment for dinner. Her building is so nice and we had an amazing view of the city from her rooftop. Overall, it was pretty great. Monday, I did some chores so I felt a bit like an adult (or something). Tuesday, Daniel said goodbye after staying over a few days to go home to LA and then Paris for next semester. Wednesday I went to The Woods with Kayla in Williamsburg. Thursday I got dinner with Jess at Via della Pace. Friday, I got breakfast with Cristina at Financier. TBD this weekend....

At work, I have been meeting with some major magazine reps for my Alexis Bittar client and still getting lots of free food- I find it exciting. I need to get better at feeding myself, regardless. I am not sure what I have planned for the rest of the week, but we will see....

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I wanted it to be November on Monday. I felt a little sad and even though it was hot out, I wore my biggest seafoam green sweater with full length jeans and boots. It felt nice to sweat a little and I pondered whether I would have things more figured out in November. I hope so- to be more settled into my job, to feel more stable in my friendships, to know whether I am going to travel or study or work more in the near future, and to just feel more adult-y. Then again, I am unsure of whether I will ever feel adulty. I go to the gym, pay rent, and work. I think for now, that is enough.

A new account, @BeardPapasNY, & @Werethemillers

I am on another account at work and things are really starting to pick up, which is a little scary, but more exciting than anything else. I really want to dive in and learn a lot. I have also been having quite a few personal meetings with people from outside companies, which makes me feel like a real business person... or something. I am working on it, anyway. Plus, going to start coaching this weekend again- yayyyyy! All of this is a good thing.

The highlight of my week was probably the fact that I got Beard Papa on Monday. So amazing. Green tea latte and cocoa puff with vanilla filling. I could eat soooooo many, but I shouldn't. On Tuesday, I went to my favorite theater with Michelle (it is so old, pretty, and huge) to see We are the Millers for $7 (included a free $6.50 popcorn- the most expensive in the city). Of course the weekly deal makes the movie even sweeter (or popcorn-ier?), but We are the Millers was actually really funny. I recommend seeing it. I also missed out on seeing Kayla and Michelle for two days straight from being away/ busy, which was weird. In pathetic news, I feel asleep at 8 PM last night. Don't be jealous. I basically haven't had time to sleep. I also need to figure out fun weekend plans- besides skating and writing. Will keep y'all updated.

Besides new potential opportunities, food (it's going to be Burger Day tomorrow!), and expansion in my work, I feel like my social life is changing slowly as well. School is going to start again for a lot of my friends who are still students and I am worried they won't have as much time for me, but who knows. My life is changing and so are theirs, so I am just going to have to ride the wave.


Baci!
-S

On commitment

Commitment is a funny thing. I sometimes convince myself I know exactly what I want and other times I convince myself I have no idea. I think the truth lies somewhere in between. Then again, would I even be able to tell? Do I want to stay or go or be here or there? I guess it all comes down to how I am feeling- whether I will write or go to the gym or visit a museum. Maybe I just have too many feelings. These feelings include drive to have things and go places and achieve things- what some may call ambition. Too much so like Caesar... Hopefully, there is no Brutus in my life- I only want to surround myself with people who will bring positivity. The scary thing is that you don't know who might hurt you at any given time- or if that is even their intention.

Something else wrangling the depths of my mind: the glow only lasts an hour. What happens when all of the magic fades and there is only normalcy (what could be worse?)? Speaking of normalcy, the gradient really varies so much depending on perspective- just stating the obvious.

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If all of that was too touchy-feely for you, here is some news.

News!:

Besides work, I met with a new mentor who works at Twitter and gave me some kick ass advice. He basically suggested I write copy for the hell of it and see how it goes. Otherwise, he was super supportive and nice.

I also had an amazing dinner at Capitale Grille in the Theater District for Restaurant Week for Sammie's 21st birthday. Grace, Liliana, Ben, and Alice were there and it was really special. The food was amazing- I got the clam chowder, filet minon, and flourless chocolate espresso cake. My only complaint was that we ate really late- probably got our food around 10:30 PM. I was dying a little, but the food was SOOOOOOO good. After, we played pool in K-Town and it was fun (even though we were all pretty terrible). For part 2 of Sammie's birthday, we went to Santos Party House where we had bottle service. Jon and Adi came, plus Sammie had a fun time. It was nice to spend time with friends.

This weekend, I am going to start coaching again. It is going to be nice, but weird since I haven't coached for the last month or so. Plus, I have barely been riding the subway because I usually just walk to work. Speaking of which, it is so much nicer to walk to work than to ride the subway- even though it takes a little longer. There are just always delays or weird issues and I don't want to deal with it, period.

I feel like I should plan an adventure so I have something nice to look forward to in the upcoming weeks.

TBC...

xoxo
-S

This week in review

Went home for the weekend. Pet my dogs. Ate some food. Apparently, I have friends because people texted me to hang out. It’s nice to say no every once in a while. Watched some Orange is the New Black.  Attended a cute dinner party situation in the mountains at my old neighbor’s new house.

In the city, I attended a comedy show, questioned my life choices, ate some froyo, and got Donut Plant donuts at work (coconut and crème brulee kill me). Yeah- I am jealous of my job, too. Oh, speaking of my job, we are the top media agency in ‘Murica. #winning #xmlove

The usual: ate some food, slept too much, and partied a bit

This past weekend was nice. I was exhausted Friday after work and the gym. I actually had no appetite and was struggling to stay awake, but ate dinner (peppers stuffed with meat and roasted potatoes) made by Kayla with her and Jen at 10 PM. It was really cute- expect for the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open and basically flatlined on our common area floor. 

Saturday, I got hot chocolate at City Bakery with Daniel, went kayaking on the Hudson, hit the gym, and ran some chores. I wanted to go to the Guggenheim for free Saturday night entry/ pay what you wish, but the line literally wrapped all the way about the square of the block and I went home. It was fail. I got m2m for dinner (real ginger in my ginger beer and rice noodles with veggies- sooooo good) because I needed to go grocery shopping and was exhausted. I watched some food tv on Hulu, took a nap, and headed over to the frat house. It was nice to hang out with Jon and I really like the rest of the frat bros. We went to Webster for a little bit (intending on hitting up two EDM performances), but I didn't stay super long. Jon wasn't feeling well and by the time we all headed back to the frat house, I was practically fast asleep. Kayaking + gym + dancing = exhausted Sarah. After hanging out at the frat house a little longer, I headed back to my apartment because I was too tired to function. Most of the boys headed back to Webster and I had a brief conversation with Michelle, Matt, and Daniel. I have no idea why I was so tired.

On Sunday, I literally slept all day. I woke up occasionally to feed myself, but otherwise was pretty much dead. I had the worst head ache ever and my whole body ached- it was really weird. I made myself get up (and stay up for a whole of 5.5 hours!) so I would be able to wake up for work the next day. All I did was go to the gym (I felt so much better after!) and go to dinner with Michelle at Gandhi on Christmas Street. We got so much food and it was so good and I felt so happy. I love food and I hadn't seen Michelle all week, so it was really nice to catch up with her. Once I returned home, we watched some tv. 

We actually watched Keeping Up with the Kardashians last night, too. The episode was so good! Basically on Monday, all I did was go to work, the gym, and make myself food. I fed myself! For lunch yesterday, I went to the Union Square Greenmarket and got one of my favorite treats- mushroom focaccia- sooooo delish. Also momentous for Monday- I watched the pilot episode of Long Island Princesses and it may or may not (it did) change my life. Love love love my trash tv and had the chance to watch.  

For today, I felt kind of meh and walked to work early. One of my goals for the week is to be earlier to work. I also finagled my way into making the agency status breakfast from my choice of venue- Maison Kayser- and everything was so good! My life is semi-complete right now- just saying. Actually, that will likely be the highlight of my day. Later, I am going to Jon's gig. 

In other Sarah news, I am going home for the freakin' weekin'! Very excited for some home cookin' and some dog lovin' (hoping not to get bitten by Pierre again...). My prediction is that I will eat too much food and gain a lot of weight from this upcoming visit. There are probably other things for me to predict or share right now, but I am blanking. 

TBC...

Updates? Updates!

So as is typical of my writing habits, I have taken a hiatus. I am back, bitches! But actually, not much news to share. I have eaten lots of places and was sick last weekend, so I was pretty miserable. Feeling better this week. Planning on hanging out with friends and eating more food this weekend, which should be nice :) Things are really picking up at work and I ran a hot sauce taste test yesterday, which was fun. I also ate at Maison Kaiser, which just opened around the corner from where I work yesterday. It is going to be a major problem because the stuff is sooooooo good and sooooo unhealthy. Also, got free coolhaus (double chocolate cookie with salted chocolate Patron ice cream) for a movie promo- hell, yeah! In other food news, today is burger day- getting mango salsa black bean veggie burger, sweet potato fries, and a blueberry shake. #excited I guess the only other developments worth sharing are that I fail at reading books and changed my new book idea (not that I have written anything substantial yet). It turned more ranty than write-y (if that makes any sense). I guess I also might have made a new friend, which is never a bad thing. More updates to come... Love from the south of this wonderful city.

Arrivederci!  

NYC x 4th of July weekend

I had a lovely 4th of July weekend.

On the 4th, I went to Tompkins Square Park with Michelle, Daniel, Carrie, and Jon to tan and picnic. The next stop was Washington Square Park, where Jon and I swam in the fountain (yes, we know it is dirty) and walked around the park a bit. After, we watched a Bloomberg episode about Magic Johnson as a business man. It was really interesting. Then, I came back to the apartment where Daniel and Michelle had made dinner- chicken, rice, brussel sprouts, zucchini, fruit, and (bought) cheesecake. I cleaned up and made mango berry margaritas in the blender. Carrie came over later and we went to Sophie's boyfriend's rooftop to watch fireworks. Overall, it was really nice. My only complaint in that I got sunburned in the park even though I wore sunscreen. I am only a little lobster-y and it turned into a tan, but I guess I will just have to deal with the cancerous implications later in life...

Friday, I went to the gym, visited a museum, and went out with Sam, Alice, and her friend Antonella from Cali.

Saturday, I got brunch at Veselka with Sophie, went shopping at Urban (didn't buy anything because I was attempting to practice self restraint), and ran some chores. Later, I met up with my coworker Carolyn who is new to the city. She started around the same time as me, studied at Ithaca, and is from PA. She is super nice and I really like her. Anyway, we got overpriced (but delicious!) tea at Physical Graffitea (because I had been wanting to get it) and sat in Tompkins Square Park. Later, Joe came over to my apartment to do laundry. Then, the three of us met up with Sophie and got food at Hummus Place across the street. I got shakshuka and split a large chickpea hummus with everyone. Carolyn left and Joe, Sophie, and I hung out in my apartment for a little bit. Then, we all split up and I went out in Williamsburg. Why do I keep ending up in Brooklyn?

Sunday, I just didn't feel like doing much with my sunburn and just wasn't feeling well. My former plans to go to the beach and go kayaking fell through. I basically just finished some little chores and went to the gym, but I will be more productive next weekend.

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I feel like every experience in life is a learning experience. I think I also think too much. Anyway, here are some realizations I wanted to share:
1. Relationships are really hard- to get someone to care about you and you to care about them. Plus, neither party should be flakey. #strugglecity
2. Feelings are hard to deal with. Why don't they teach this in school?
3. Personality counts for a ton in business and life in general. Why don't they teach this in school either?
4. I need to work on budgeting.
5. I want to really focus on work and step my game up big time. This is important to me and I want to give it my all.
6. We control our own happiness.
7. Don't wait for other people to do the things you want to do, because a lot of the time, you will never end up doing them.
8. Often what you think of someone is much more important than what they think of you. Besides, what other people think of us is none of our business.
9. I spend too much time on the internet. I want to spend more time in real life, smelling the flowers, reading books, and not worrying about what person x has posted on Facebook/ Twitter/ Tumblr in the latest day. There are much more important things for me to focus my energy on.
10. I need to make a bigger commitment to eating healthily.
11. I used to think that people were fundamentally evil. Instead, I think that (for the most part) people really are trying their best everyday, but don't always make the best decisions and usually focus on themselves. In return, their actions could easily be interpreted as horrible/ evil/ mean, when in that individual's own perception of reality, they were acting in an appropriate way and doing what is best for themselves. Of course, this is not always true, but I felt like ranting a little bit.
12. I get attached to people super easily. Not in a needy way, I just care and have an affinity towards certain people.
13. I need to take my own writing more seriously. We will see how that goes...

At this point in time,  I feel like work and relationship-wise, things are pretty stable. I want to maintain and build this stability for now. Things are good and I don't want to mess it all up because I almost did that this weekend.

love & trying to make the most of it all

I had a major realization yesterday. My endorphins were killing it post-workout. I had gone a little too hard at the gym and I knew I would be sore the next day, but I felt so good. I couldn't stop smiling and everything seemed so beautiful. I wish that I could appreciate the world in this way all of the time, but I was just really feeling it on my walk home. There were trees and birds and the sky and I felt so thankful so everything in my life. I felt really happy- not for any reason except for being alive.

Basically, I realized something I already knew- when you have people who really love you and care about you, life is so much easier. I could have been upset about a quite a few things happening in my life at the moment. Instead, I was dealing with everything is stride and taking things as they came. Nothing is terrible right now, but I just felt like I have so much to be thankful for and am more mature. Everything seemed easier to deal with than it would have been at a different point in my life because I have amazing friends who support and love me. So, here is a shout out to Jon, Michelle, Kayla, Daniel, Sam, Audrey, Cristina, and everyone else. You are wonderful and I love you so, so much.

To put some extra cheese in the cheese-y-ness, here are some things I am thankful for:

1. Friends

2. Family

3. Living in NYC

4. Finishing school

5. Having had the opportunity to travel so much

6. My beautiful apartment

7. My job

8. The internet. The beautiful, distracting internet.

9. My health. I think it is easy to take for granted that I can run and hear and see, but not everyone can. One day, I may not be so healthy and will not be able to continue on this journey. I am just trying to make the most of it all.

This realization also brought me to the conclusion that if I were to be in a relationship, the most important thing to me (besides personality compatibility) is that the person really cares about me. Life is too short to spend with people who suck or generally don't give a shit.

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I have also been thinking about goals and what I want to get out of this summer, so here we go:

1. Eat consciously

2. Exercise regularly

3. Spend wisely

4. Hang out with friends as often as possible

5. Work my little ass off and learn more about the industry

6. Go to the beach often

7. Read a lot

I know the more specific goals are, the more likely you are to achieve them. I am purposely being vague in my goals for the remainder of the summer because I feel like these are the ways I want to live my life- reading, learning, eating, exercising, laughing- and not momentarily. 

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A big question weighing on my mind has been 'is this it?' I mean to say that everyone and their mother's cousin's dog keeps telling me that my life will be the same from here on out- work, work, work. They make it sound horrible and boring. I don't share their point of view. I really have sought to do something I love and can't imagine going back to school at this point, so I will continue working. But my naivety provides me with the perception that this 9-5 business is not a grind, but a mere aspect of life. I also don't think I am 'never going to be able to travel again.' I will go on vacations and still want to take that year off to teach English in Thailand or wherever I may end up. Maybe I will really move to Melbourne for a year or two. Maybe I will seek refuge for a few months in my parents house to not pay rent, remove myself from the distractions of the world, and just write. Time will tell.