Chilly Willy

The weather here is unusually cold and windy for this time of year and is turning me into a recluse. Work was the only thing that took me into the city this week and not much has been going on outside the ordinary. Eighties this weekend! Today is Wednesday, though, the day that the Village Voice hits the stands. It’s a free paper that claims to be, “the definitive source of information for news, music, movies, restaurants, reviews, and events in New York.” It’s pretty good and gave me some ideas for the weekend, during which I will try to make up for the lack of fun this week. In about two weeks Jen will be up again to visit one more time before the BIG move. I’d like to take her to see our first Broadway show so I’ve been reading lots of reviews. I hear the most about Wicked, but naturally it’s the most ridiculously expensive with, I'm told, not a chance of SRO (standing room only) or lottery tickets.

Most likely, a combination of the fickle weather and my lack of stretching have made my back stiff lately. I took yoga at eight tonight and feel much better. I really need to remember to do that at least once a week and recommend it to anyone who has musculoskeletal issues! I actually work with many yogis, because servers know what's up. Namaste.

Chase Bums

Like I said, nothing much going on. Today was Sunday which means church, lunch, and usually work. Tonight was an unexpected blessing . It was slow-ish and then as soon as the other server upstairs with me was cut (told he could go home because it seemed slow) it picked up and didn't have to split the dough, woo!

I left work around midnight and was going to treat myself to some new shoes but they didn't have my size, their loss. I took a hybrid cab home which was cool, so quiet. I think I'll try to take hybrids only from now on, not just because they are green but generally newer and hopefully cleaner in the backseat.

Tonight's pic is of a lovely homeless person I spotted after work tonight (or this morning). Nothing says thank you for banking with Chase like this creeper next to your ATM. You would think she'd at least lay down and get comfortable while breaking the rules, I mean her neck must be killing her. Oh well, I guess if I was a bum I would do things a little differently... Matt for president.

$Free.99

The next couple of days are going to be pretty... monotonous. I'm still trying only spend on what is absolutely necessary, which means no going out, and I work the next four days. I made sure not to use the word dull because Bourbon Street is anything but that, but it's nothing worth blogging over.

I did, though, get to run around Central Park for about 30 minutes yesterday before it started raining. It was quite crowded for an early afternoon on a weekday but once I got deep into the park, where you feel like you're lost in the woods with no high-rises in sight, it's so beautiful. The winding running paths are neat, but it makes it really hard to keep your sense of direction. I ended up on the west side, convinced I was still on the east side. 

I might do some research on free events for tomorrow night. There are always free things going on in the city, on the weekend especially.

Go Team(s)!

Mets Citi Field

Last night, Wednesday, I went to my first pro baseball game and NYC sporting event, the Mets at home against the Chicago Cubs. About twenty friends from church and I headed out to the really nice, new Citi Field in the rain. It did clear up a little but then got REALLY cold. Half of us left in the 7th inning because the Cubs had the game, but mostly because of the weather. I think the other half of us were actually all Cubs fans. As you can see from the pic, the seats were so close to the field on the first base line and in the foul ball zone for sure; I had to pay attention so I wouldn't get hit in the head! I'm going to try to get my hands on some more pics from the game by the way.

I aced yet another test, this time in psychology this morning. If my clinicals in January are as easy as my current classes, I'll be good to go.

Happy Earth Day, which happens to be 40 years old. AM New York told me to pat myself on the back today for using public transportation and recycling (which is required here) so pat pat. Not that it's directly related to being green, but I have decided not to spend any money today. I haven't worked in 3 days and need to slow my NYC-style spending. For example, a hot dog, fries, and hot chocolate at the game last night was around twenty bucks. Yea, and I don't even like hot dogs. The weather is nice here so maybe I'll do some free things outdoors like check out one of the running trails in Central Park or one of the free Earth Day events.

Banana Dream

Sorry for the silence, I was in Florida for the weekend and just now getting a chance to write a bit. Ahh, the weekend… Friday afternoon Jen picked me up from the airport after getting home from her cruise just hours before. That night Jen and I went to dinner at one of our fav’s, Grillsmith, with Mom, Dad, and Michael, Nana and Papa, AND the dogs. It was a great night and I regret not getting a pic with everyone. Oh, and Mom brought us a couple HUGE slices of my favorite cake, the banana dream from Too Jays. So good! Saturday we went to the beach (pic) and then did some walking around downtown Dunedin. Jen really wanted to buy these glasses but I talked her out of them, too dark. Sunday night we had fish and sweet potato fries (upon my request, yum) at the in-law’s and Monday morning I flew back to New York in time for work.

Today during my between class break I headed to SOHO for lunch and some warm weather clothes that fit. I might go to a Mets game tomorrow. Although it’s hard for me to get excited about watching others play baseball, I want to experience NY sporting events. Hey, I’ll try everything once! Well that’s not true either ha. The last pic is of neighborhood Aubergine Cafe which me and my white a$$ head try often.

UES

The 7 train wasn’t going to my stop after class this morning due to more rail work. It was running to Manhattan though and I needed no better excuse. With my Not for Tourists Guide I headed to the Upper East Side to check it out. From Grand Central the 4 train took me up to 86th where I walked across Lexington, Park, and Madison Avenues then up around 95th and back. I could definitely live there! This first pic is of Park Avenue and that lady on the corner using someone’s wheelchair to haul random things.

This was a very pricey area with tons of household things for rich households like Dean & Deluca, William and Sonoma, and european imported goods shops like this one where I grabbed a quick bite. We'll probably never call it our neighborhood but there are some unique stores worth visiting, nonetheless. You really have to live here to take in the real NYC. Over a month under my belt and there’s still SO much more fun to be had. I should start visiting the museums, maybe next week.

Tonight I decided against running in the cold and instead, ate. At least it was a healthy dinner; chicken, sweet potato, and zucchini. I got a 55cent/minute email from Jen tonight from her cruise. She’s having fun in the Bahamas and at some of the same places we visited on our honeymoon. Last pic is of the 7 coming into the station to take me home for the night. Goodnight New York!

Sunnyside Proud

Sunnyside has been named the #3 best neighborhood in NYC by NY Magazine! Park Slope and the Lower East Side hold the top two spots.

Visit the link below to read the article and check out the other winners.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/04/11/2010-04-11_park_slope_rises_to_the_top_bklyn_hood_is_citys_best_sez_magazine.html

Went to church this morning, then lunch at Tuk Tuk with some friends, and did a little homework this evening. I had a dish with coconut milk in it and felt pretty sick for a while so I'm thinking I'm still allergic, or sensitive to coconut. This picture is of our congregation, full of what Dad calls "C&E's," on Easter Sunday. Today we had almost as many attend which is not too shabby. Yoga in the morning and boy do I need it.

Knights of Columbus!

Friday was not a great day at work. It was nice to relax and chat with the other servers but by three in the afternoon, too many servers on the floor, and no money to be made I left early and went out to explore the city. Molly, the hostess recommended the Upper West Side. I walked from work on 46th up to almost 80th, turned around and came back down Amsterdam or Broadway. It was a nice walk with many stops along the way including Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, and my Nana’s favorite: Live with Regis and Kelly. I picked up some ticket information for you by the way! Ha.

Friday night was very Italian with a walk down the street to Donato’ s for pizza, then a train to LIC’s Manducatti’s for gelato. Both were tasty. We walked a bite of our dessert off the two blocks to LIC Bar for drinks. It’s a friendly, cozy place with a patio that I bet is packed in the summer. It was pretty chilly so we got close to the fireplace out back but never could figure out how to turn the heat up. And no the answer is not add more wood, it was gas.

Today I worked brunch which was also blah because the colder afternoon kept people away. Tonight I need to do some homework and get some sleep!

I feel like there’s so much I’m missing this week. Mom’s side of the family is having a big reunion in GA and Jen is going back to the Bahamas on a cruise. She couldn’t exactly take Pup with her so my parents were nice enough to drive to Tampa and take her to GA with them on a little retreat with Rinny, their Jack Russell Terrier. I wish I could be there but it’s not easy to get from NYC to rural backwoods GA. FL on Friday!

Book Sale

Lately at work we have been so busy! I’m not really complaining but it has been exhausting. If you don’t already know let me tell you, I need close to eight hours of sleep to be a pleasant, normally functioning human being. With that being said, today was a much needed day of catching up on homework, I guess I could say housework, and sleep.


After class this morning while out and about I tried my best to slow my usually feverish pace and take in the perfect spring day. Sunnyside Gardens, my home for now has so many blooming flowers and trees that this picture, taken right at my steps does not do the neighborhood justice. I wished for you, Jen while doing some browsing at a sidewalk book sale which you would have loved. And that’s all we need, more books.

Below is a LIC collage that I jacked from one of my favorite local blogs, www.liqcity.com. I have been noticing and appreciating photography more since moving here I noticed. A photographer friend of mine supposedly takes amazing pics but I couldn’t find his webpage from the address he gave me.

I’m going to attempt to go to bed soon since I work a long 9-5 tomorrow. I just thought of that Dolly Parton song… Speaking of music, I love Pandora.com. It’s a free and legal website that allows you to create your own radio stations. You can rate the music as it plays so that it learns your music taste, adjusts, and makes recommendations automatically. If I’m not the last person to hear about this, check it out.

Tips for Moving Furniture

Tuesday night I took the 7 and E trains out to Forest Hills, Queens to pick up a desk I found on Craigslist. It was a good excuse to check out an area new to me, specifically Austin St which is a strip lined with local and chain shops and restaurants. Nice area.

The desk and chair have a few scratches but I can’t complain about $20 for items that were originally over $300. The hardest and most costly part was getting them home! Of course the suv/ van that I had prearranged never showed and then denied the agreement when I called so I spent about an hour trying to get a ride for my new stuff. Although I eventually found a big Ford SUV, I had talked the doorman into bringing the furniture to my place in his van when he left work around 11. If anyone is ever in Forest Hills, stop by 73-37 Austin St. and say hi to Patrick the doorman, nice guy, so I tipped him. Anyway, I got it all home and set up by about 10 (pic) and I think it’s pretty sweet. Definitely worth the $20++.

The pic to the left is of a mime that’s always in Times Square. She acts like a little wind-up toy and makes the craziest facial expressions and noises. She's so interesting that I watch her on the way to or from work sometimes, even if she's just frozen in a position. Oh, and last night on the way to pick up the desk a classmate pointed out this around 8 y/o boy who was playing amazing classical music on a keyboard without any sheet-music. Some of the most talented aspiring artists are down in the subways.

Walk and Talk

Last night at work I got a message from pastor Jake inviting me for coffee this morning which, of course, I chose to do instead of yoga. We started with some great coffee at Sweetleaf (pic) and then took a walking tour of LIC. I had no idea there was so much here, like a street with brownstones that looks straight out of Brooklyn. Jake really knows the neighborhood. I also got to see his waterfront condo and visit his toddler, Caleb. What a beautiful view they have!

Although I don't have class on Mondays, I headed to school around noon to meet with class presentation group members. I HATE group presentations and can't wait until it's over Wed. I would rather do it all myself, the right way.

I made it home with enough time to do a little homework, shoot some emails, and head to work at 3. I was not mentally prepared for such a busy Monday. It's great to make money but geez, apparently this nice weather makes people want to eat.

Also, sent from Jen's family are more pictures of cute little Lisa at the egg hunt. When asked what her favorite part of the day was she said, "seeing my cousin-in-law." Dumb question :).

By the way, I said we had double what we thought but it turns out we had like 500 people show up to the event. Good times

Kiddie Park

Friday I worked almost ten hours, had some pizza on 8th avenue after work, and bought shorts to prepare for this nice weather at what I think was a 24 hr Gap in Times Square. I love that this city doesn’t sleep!

This morning I got up and headed to Gantry Plaza State Park, LIC to volunteer at my church’s first annual Easter egg hunt. Jen’s family drove down from White Plains for the event and I got to show them around LIC and grab some lunch (pic). I think Lisa had fun. They gave me an Easter gift, some of which came from Florida, and a ride home. Very thoughtful, thank you!

At the event we were expecting around 100 but probably had double that come out. It was pretty well organized for a first with games, prizes, crafts, face painting, and pictures with our ex-Disney princess Brooklyn as the Easter bunny. What was really nice was that the kid’s pics with the bunny and skyline behind them were printed and laid out for families to pick up on their way out. Everything was free and hopefully a few of those families show up to church tomorrow.

Other than coming home late to lots of homework, today was great. I regret not taking pictures at the park but will ask for a few in the morning.

Tomorrow afternoon I hope to pick up a used Crate & Barrel leaning desk I found on craigslist… just waiting on an email and details. Work tomorrow night.

Happy Easter!

Breakfast at Dorian's

This morning, after only 5 or so hours of sleep, I got up for breakfast in LIC at Dorian Cafe with some church guys. It's right outside the subway station (green pole in the pic). I'm chronically early to everything so when no one else was there at 7 I didn't worry, got some coffee, and bought a paper right outside from the guy on the corner. 7:15: I ordered my food. 7:30: I was pretty sure no one was showing and sent the organizer a text. I think I woke him and apparently, everyone who usually shows slept in. I could have used the sleep but couldn't flip the b*tch switch on Jesus people ha, and at least got to read and do some people watching.

Part of the reason I didn't sleep well was because a coworker decided to call me at 1 am to ask if I'd cover her 12-9 shift today, which I did. It's a long, but good shift; you don't have to open or close and I made a couple hundred. woo!

I talked to Jen on the train home and walked in to my room to find a roach on my bed. I grabbed my mp3 player, threw on my running shoes, and jogged to the 24hr market for some roach spray. We just finished pretty much bombing the apartment because I don't do room-shares with roaches. It may kill us in the process, cough, but it's for a just cause.