Belated Refelections

My family and friends have never been known to celebrate holidays and special events (with the exception of Christmas and New Year's - those two are more or less concrete dates) on the actual date of the event.  In the past, have been known to celebrate my birthday (June 8th) as early as May or even as late as February.  Thus it only seems appropriate that my reflections on Thanksgiving should come at a time when most people are still recovering from Valentine's Day exhilaration or disappointment.

Even in college, it was always a significant challenge to make it home for the long holiday weekend (my school books alone would surpass the permissible 50 lbs. in a checked bag, which begged the question of how to survive without a change of clothes for several days).  Now that homework is no longer the center of the universe, my parents are able to come to visit for some quality time.  As wonderful as it is to spend time together, it is also fun because it forces me to be a tourist in my own city. 

Before living in New York City, was always baffled by how people living in the nearby area never seemed to have visited any of the famous sights.  Even more shocking was their shrugs of indifference and half-hearted explanation that "all those things will always be there".  The reason for this lack of enthusiasm, as has progressively become apparent, is because the sights are taken for granted through the ease of access.  It is a mindless activity to hop on a downtown subway, or even walk, to the Empire State Building, or take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, so much to the extent that it almost unappealing in its lack of a challenge.

Fortunately, with my parent's visit this past Thanksgiving was able to cross a couple of items off of my bucket list, including visiting Ground Zero and seeing the balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade inflated the night before (the inflation site is on the same block of the Natural Museum of History - a ten minute walk from my apartment). 

Line to get into the Macy's balloon inflation...it kept stretching down for blocks!

A parent's nightmare

M&M Factory

What do I do Now?

One of the greatest adjustments post-college was re-discovering the art of hobbies.  Four years of being a varsity athlete at Princeton meant that life consisted almost exclusively of studying, classes, practices, eating, and occasionally sleeping.  After graduating, discovered something that had only been previously coveted, but never actually attained: free time. 

Consequently, the idea of an office is still a novelty, for me at least, in that when you leave (generally speaking), you leave all work behind as opposed to merely transporting work between the library, when it closes at 11:30 p.m., and your dorm room.  Thus having the seemingly never-ending vicious cycle of constant work finally concluded, found myself unsure of what to do.  There were so many things that I wanted to do, that it was almost overwhelming.  Not since high school had I had any outside interests, and so carefully approached the subject like a five year old trying to gauge the deepness of the pool's deep end, first by daintily dipping in my big toe and then finally saying "screw it" and plunging in head first, praying that my floaties would bring me back to the surface.

Groupon and LivingSocial proved to have great discounts for fun events, but things can add up very quickly even with the discounts.  Reading is always an enjoyable activity, but sometimes I need to actually do something.  Inspired by a blog, trekked down Columbus Avenue to the Paper Source where I purchase some simple supplies in order to hone my artistic skills by creating my own personal stationery.  The end result was pleasantly surprising.  Point of the story is that in order to evade boredom you sometimes have to take risks, and other times it's okay to think small.  The only thing I can guarantee is that sitting around doing nothing is going to get you absolutely nowhere.

Simple stamps make a pretty compliment to good stationery paper for a personal touch.

Lining the inside of envelopes with wrapping paper adds an unexpected element of surprise.

It's the Little Things In Life...

For the first time in my 23 years of living, have actually craved warm weather (summer to be exact).  Of course I could sit down and psychoanalyze myself through an over analysis breaking down every aspect my life in order to determine the exact cause of my bewildering new mental attitude (although I strongly suspect that the sub-30 degrees weather combined with an internal office and lack of sunshine are all strong contributors), life is too short to get caught up in the mundane everyday trivialities.  Consequently am sharing a couple of things that I do for myself that makes me (and arguably every other girl on the planet) happy: flowers, exploring local eateries in my neighborhood, justifying a mani-pedi and a much needed "spa day", and when those just don't cut it: whiskey - mainly for those occasional days where it seems like the world is conspiring against you (not pictured).

Hydrangeas from a local florist.  Hint: you have to almost twist/rip the stems when trimming in order to prolong the life span of the flowers.

Either dangerously or conveniently located a block away from my apartment...I seriously contemplated going back for a whole pie!

Is there an insurance that covers stupidity?

Humans never cease to amaze me, more specifically the dumb decisions they constantly make.  These Darwinian errors never seem so apparent as when riding the subway.  I mean I fail to understand why people have to tote their dogs around as an accessory.  What is so ghastly wrong with letting a dog run around and use it's legs?  As far as the advertisement for dog plastic surgery goes...I honestly don't even know where to begin, but sincerely hoped that at some point Ashton Kutcher would pop out and tell me that I had been punked.  What's even worse is that one of the big newspapers recently ran an article on a woman who does everyday chores completely naked - including riding the subway (and that is the last time I will ever sit down in one of the seats).  I truly hope that all I can say is only in New York City...

I think that's a dog...

No, really?!

and then there is no doubt...

 

State of Mind

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of traveling."

Despite the fact that I did, in fact, spy this on the front of a Hallmark card, it deeply resonated within me.  It resonated with me so deeply that I actually had to purchase the card so that I could look at it on a regular basis as a positive reminder that life is not about the destination but the journey, and attitude is the compass guiding every step. 

The problem is that life seems to be one constant "to-do" list.  Paradoxically, instead of feeling accomplished every time the tip of a freshly sharpened pencil swishes across the blue-lined page, am overwhelmed by anxiety and stress since the to-do list quadrupled in the amount of time it took to finish that one simple task.

Having taken this past weekend to step back and reflect, the answer is prioritization.  Now to everyone this is a embarrassingly obvious life observation.  What is different, however, is making happiness a priority.  Every day I am constantly focused on what needs to get done, that the things like pleasure reading and learning to speak Spanish are perpetually pushed further and further down the list leaving me miserably surrounded with grown up stuff.  That's not to say that taxes, grocery shopping, and laundry should be forgotten.  There's nothing, however, to stop you from taking 20 minutes to leaf through a trashy magazine or read a chapter from that mystery novel.

When every minute of every day is planned, make sure to schedule time for happiness.

Volunteering with a couple of other paralegals at New York Cares Day

Our finished painting to be hung in the public school cafeteria to help promote healthy eating habits - painting proved to be a pleasantly unexpected calming therapy!

"An analysis of volumes of previous research on the subject shows a strong consensus that volunteering contributes to happiness by decreasing boredom and creating an increased sense of purpose in life.  Volunteers, on average, are twice as likely to feel happy with themselves as nonvolunteers." (Crist-Houran 1996) ~ 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It (David Niven,  Ph.D"

Mondays (Mornings) Suck

After two short holiday weeks, it's finally time to get started again with a full work week replete with grumpy NYC commuters, significant vitamin D deficiency, and long work hours.  So to help turn my mood around, I've included a couple of snapshots of unintentionally funny advertisements.  Hopefully, they will make you chuckle too!

Picture from a grocery store across the street from my apartment.  Sadly, they can't speak English any better than they can spell it.

If the point is to go all natural, then why are they "changing the meat we eat"?  I feel like this is counterintuitive

Talk about technicalities!  I guess Splenda really is not a sugar, but I still don't see how they can get away with that claim of "no sugar added"

Do NOT underestimate the importance of a good coat...

Christmas has come and gone, but the weather has finally decided to get into the holiday spirit a tad too late and a tad too enthusiastically for my taste. Temperatures have dropped to the low 20s, but the killer is the wind off of the Hudson River, which rips through your skin like the razor sharp teeth of a demoniac ice hound.

That is, unless of course, you have a long winter coat. Gone are the days when a North Face fleece was sufficiently warm while jogging between my car and the garage or high school building.

The keys to staying warm are: a hat (as much as I hate to admit it since hat hair is never a flattering feature on me), a coat that is log enough to cover your butt and thighs (preferably a full length extending all the way down to your ankles), gloves (mittens are actually a thousand times warmer, but am adamant in my refusal to give in on the account that they completely eliminate any dexterity), and foot coverage (lots of women wear black uggs to work for a more inconspicuous appearance, but if you insist on wearing cute flats do so at least with some kind of socks or warm leggings).

As a disclaimer, these are all things that my mother had constantly told me while I was growing up...unfortunately, it took a self-diagnosed case of hypothermia and what felt like (but probably wasn't) frostbite in order for the message to click.

New Year's Resolution 2013

Given my horrific job blogging in 2012, where I averaged maybe one blog per month, have resolved to write a short post each day during the week. The big problem is that my mind sporadically wanders and consequentially try to write a novel in a paragraph...as is happening right now. Guess that is what happens when every day is comprised of 1,440 New York minutes.

More importantly, want to share a recently learned, albeit important lifeskill: how to buy refills. Again, most of these insights are stating the obvious, which is exactly why they are so easy to miss. Case in point - for the past 23.5 years, have always bought one refill after running out of a certain product. The 1:1 ratio seemed the most natural and cost-effective management. Recently, however, have learned the the best way to shop is to buy at least two refills at a time for the following reasons: the product may be discontinued, you may never be able to find that product again, or the store may inconveniently be closed at a time when you most need the refill. Granted, it may be more expensive at the cash register, but it is significantly more convenient to not have to run to the store on a weekly or monthly basis. Plus, over time the amounts are the same costs.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and prosperous 2013!

Do Not Underestimate the Power of Groupon and LivingSocial

There are more things to do in New York City than there is time in the day, and, in most cases, more money that is in my wallet.  Unfortunately, I've realized that when you live and work in New York City, you gradually neglect to see, or become oblivious to, the "magic" that countless tourists flock to see from all corners of the world.  My indifference became apparent when I saw an advertisement to see Paula Dean speak at a Times Talks event.  I was actually excited to get out and see something.  The ironic part is that I had this sensation as I was dodging traffic while crossing the street looking down at all of the blinding lights from Times Square (my office is located only a couple of blocks away).

Although the talk itself was somewhat different than what I had expected (it focused more on her personal life and struggles rather than a talk about her cooking), the book signing after the talk redeemed my $50 ticket.  As it turns out her body guard (I am assuming that is his responsibility) is named Hollis.  Until that point in time I had never met a male Hollis before (it is, after all, traditionally a boy's name - the masculine version of Holly).  So during the wait in line to have Paula sign my cookbook, decided to introduce myself to Hollis.  It was truly a bizarre experience trying to introduce myself to...myself.  Paula overheard the conversation between the two Hollises, and was curious how I came about my name, and her husband Michael told me that I was the prettiest Hollis they had ever seen (which is not that great of an accomplishment when you consider that I was being compared to a very large and muscular man).  

As a result of this experience, I resolved to be a active tourist in the city on a regular basis.  There really is no excuse.  Take home lesson: one of the best places for super deals to get out and about in your own city is Groupon and/or LivingSocial.  I have used both several times and have always been satisfied with my deals (see also Blue Smoke BBQ for evidence as to how much fun you can have through these discount websites).

The line before the event (and that was 30 minutes early)

The stage - designed by Design Within Reach

Closeup of the stage - no photos were allowed during the presentation

When Life Gives You Lemons...

I am without a doubt an "outside girl".  Consequently, being forced to confine my movements to a bedroom, bathroom, and living/kitchen area in my apartment for two and a half days during the storm was as close as I have ever gotten to experiencing house arrest...and being driven to the brink of insanity.  After dusting, sweeping, and mopping every surface of the apartment, reading every magazine from the past two months that had been compiling dust under my chair, and finishing two books, turned my attention to a project that had remained unfinished for a year: knitting a winter scarf.

One of my favorite trends are chunky knits, particularly the infinity scarves.  Not only is the look versatile and can be worn (with the appropriate complimentary pieces) anywhere from the office to a night out with friends, but is very practical for a girl who, dating a hockey player, spends several hours on weekend in an ice rink.  In general I prefer to make something when I can, instead of buying it in a store.  Unfortunately, in the fashion world, this means that I am limited to scarves (maybe one day I'll attempt a sweater, or a hat). 

Point of the story is that, although my scarf may not have a great name tag, it cost me $5 dollars for the knitting needles and $15 for four bundles of yarn (I dare you to try and find a scarf that matches that price anywhere online).  Living in the city has taught me to be more frugal in different and unexpected ways.  As much fun as it is to walk a way from a store with a new purchase, there is an equally - if not more - satisfying feeling when you step away from a finished handmade piece (granted it may take a lot longer than a sweep of a credit card).

The end result

I sewed the two ends together to make an infinity scarf

Tip: it is much easier (and faster) to knit if you wind the yarn from it's original wrapped package into a ball.

    

Why are Hurricanes Almost Always Named after Women?

A: Because "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." ~ William Congreve

It is with incredible relief and gratitude that I report my apartment miraculously still has power and running water in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  Looking at the news it is hard to believe that I survived, without any serious problems, the same storm that left a third of the island (every street south of 34th street to be exact) without power.  Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me during this time to see if I need any help. 

Fortunately, through the guidance of my mother, and access to Sam's Club through my boyfriend, was able to properly prepare to weather out the storm (no pun intended).  Once again, Princeton failed to teach me how to properly prepare for an emergency situation so have included a couple of vital survival tips below that I found to be most helpful.  Even though I did not have to use any of these supplies, it was worth the stressful trip out to Route 1 and surviving the crazies behind the wheel in order to have a peace of mind throughout the storm.  Hopefully you will never have to use these tips, but just in case:

An emergency supply set complete with a radio, emergency phone, compass, and flash light (no batteries required)

Fill your bathtub with water to fill the toilet in the event you lose access to running water

Powerful flashlight - it's always important to have candles and matches for a backup if your flashlight dies during a power outage

Bread, peanut butter, and toilet paper - get to the stores EARLY because people will clear the shelves as if preparing for the Armageddon

Buy lots of bottled water.  Also fill up every available water bottle with water before the storm hits

Batteries - most flashlights use AA (rather than AAA) batteries

A funny photo my cousin sent as we were both hunkered down in our own apartments during the storm

Patience is a Virtue

I will be the first to admit that when it comes to being patient, I am a total and utter failure.  It's not that I'm not capable of being patient, it's just that I'd rather not.  As a goal oriented person, nothing makes me happier than seeing results, and am accustomed to getting things down in a matter of days or weeks.  Unfortunately, this has not been the case with furnishing and decorating my apartment.

It took almost a year to fully furnish my apartment (see previous blogs for assembling my desk and bookshelf), and am STILL searching for artwork to adorn the walls.  Several headaches and numerous weekends filled with unsuccessful ventures to obscure stores and flea markets later, am delighted to report that my apartment is close to being finished.  Needless to say it has been a bitter pill to swallow, but have learned that the rewards are much more gratifying if you wait for bargains and that special piece to jump out at you, instead of rushing to buy an assortment of artwork in one weekend which, although covers the wall, doesn't get your blood flowing.

Your home is a sanctuary.  Make sure you treat it as one if you want to feel that way while living in it.

The Beginning

March 2012

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012

August-September 2012

The End (October 2012)

Sometimes the best pieces are the ones that can't be found in an art gallery