Screech

What can I say, lots of work. I have a move and upcoming clinicals to save for so I'm on a mission. We have been VERY busy, one of our patrons including the actor that played Saved By the Bell's Screech (guy with his back to camera in this really slick pic). Yesterday my 12-9 became a 12-12 because of business and a schedule mistake and I had to get up at 7 to help with church setup. I feel ok but can't wait to sleep tonight. Some of the church crew came to my hood this afternoon for a Korean BBQ lunch. Oh, and then I helped a friend move from Manhattan to the neighborhood. Lots of Sunnyside action today... and stairs, lots of stairs.

Natural Frontier

A natural grocery store just opened in my soon to be new hood, Long Island City. Just look at all that organic fruit, sweet! I’m known to research things, maybe a little too much, and have been taking walks and runs around LIC to get to know the area. Specifically, I’ve been looking for green areas for Pup to “go” in. There’s honestly nothing but concrete for a good block surrounding the apartment but about two blocks are a couple nice parks that have grass. We’re going to need some serious poo-bags soon; our FL apartment provides them.


Today was a scary taste of what the summer may be like. I think it got up to a stagnant, humid 92 degrees… ok I’m exaggerating, but just a little. I wanted to get some sun but with no water around to cool off (you don’t swim in the East River unless you’re dead) I had to stick to the shade. I’ve had the last two days off from work which I really needed after this past weekend. Although I didn’t really watch Idol this year I think I’ll stay in tonight, rest, and catch the finale. I know, I know, my wild life in NYC.

Beautiful Street

So the last few days have been nothing much but work. Yesterday, for example, because we were so busy the manager begged me to come in early and work from 12pm to 12am which I did and it was exhausting. I can't say I'm not getting what I prayed for, geez. Saturday though, I did get to have lunch with a few friends in LIC before work. Ryan and Kara just rescued a yorkie, Dunkin, so we ate alfresco at Bella Via with the new pup. This place is voted one of the best for pizza in NYC so we needed no better excuse to try some.


I think we got the apartment in Long Island City, on the same street as Bella Via, but I’m not 100% sure. According to the background check, while I have been away my wife has managed to be charged with a pending misdemeanor and felony, ha! Needless to say they had the wrong girl. The landlord is doing some updating like new wood floors and fixing a few things for us before we move in which is great. Today the blog count-down clock says three weeks until the move, woop woop.

Butter

It's officially time for me to move from Sunnyside, I'm becoming addicted to our neighborhood French bakery, Le Marjolaine. There's always something baking so I just ask what's fresh and try different things. Everything is so tasty and flaky, and why you ask? See the picture below of about 100 sticks of butter being divided for different goods. One day I even scrambled eggs at home, wrapped them in foil, and picked up a croissant on the way to class to make a sandwich, yum! My roommate is French but has actually never been.

If we get the apartment in Long Island City we'll be about a block from Manducatis, an Italian bakery that's open late. How am I supposed to resist a fresh cannoli at ten at night!?

The Amazing Race

Flight drama aside, it was a great weekend. We packed it full of apartment hunting in LIC, Sunnyside, and Manhattan. The highlight was definitely our time-out for dinner and a show Saturday night. We ate in my work neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen, and then went around the block to see Broadway’s In the Heights. We had great seats for half the price (pic) and I liked it more than I thought I would. The lead is played by Corbin Bleu, Jen’s favorite character from High School Musical which I like to refer to as her boyfriend for some reason. Anyway, I recommend it!

Sunday Jen was able to experience my church and it’s a good thing we went because friends Nicole and Ricky informed us of an available place, what might become our new apartment—I’ll keep you posted. Next, while in the city to view more units, we wandered into a huge street fair (pic) where we might have bought a bag of deep fried Oreos. Sunday night we went to a rooftop BBQ on the LIC waterfront which was beautiful, and a chance for everyone to get to know Jen a little better.

Monday morning was a blur of apt hunting before getting Jen to the airport around one and then home to get changed and rush to work. I got home from work pretty late for a Monday and then got up early for class. I will definitely sleep tonight! Four more weeks until our move!

>:(

The regular blog use of emoticons is not my thing, but this situation calls for the angry face for sure! Jen's flight last night was delayed, moved from 7pm to an 11pm, and then cancelled all together because of supposed bad weather and crew overtime. She spent the night with her parents who took her back to the airport today for an 11:50am flight. We, of course, had a full day of appointments with brokers which I'm trying to reschedule. So much flight drama! The weather is beautiful here by the way and it didn't rain a single drop. I'm about 15 minutes from the airport. Anyway, I'll let you know how the rest of this weekend plays out. So much to do and so little time.

The Pond

I took the 7 and N trains into the city this morning after class for an appointment with Brian from church who owns a real estate company. He set me up with one of his brokers who chose a few places for Jen and me to see while she’s up. I took this pic on the way and is of the pond, Central Park, right across from the Plaza Hotel. It was chilly today but still pretty nice. Where’s that summer weather we had?

We also have an appointment with a broker in our back-up location, Sunnyside, on Saturday morning. After class and the gym tonight I did some more emailing to try to squeeze as many apartment viewings as possible into the weekend. Hope it all goes… swimmingly ha.

SoCo

It bothers me when all people talk about it work, which would make me a hypocrite. Tonight, though, is worth a mention! Southern Comfort bought out our restaurant from 6-10 for the national premier of their new bottle, image, and surprise release of SoCo Lime. We served SoCo sangrias, hurricanes, and promotional drinks. It was a fun party to be chosen to work and easy money. Southern Comfort's Louisiana heritage and new look matches our restaurant's theme exactly and it's pretty cool to be the first in the country to see something, no matter what it is. I now have a SoCo bar towel, bottle opener, and t-shirt that I don't know I will ever use, ha. Good times.

Jen's flying up to visit this weekend, the last time before our move! We're getting pretty excited now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Definitely looking at some apartments this weekend in Manhattan, LIC, and Sunnyside. Only one test and one paper due this week for school. Mine and what seems like everyone elses allergies have been driving me crazy. I'm becoming that annoying throat clearer in a quiet room or subway car. I hope I don't keep the roomy up at night. I guess I should buy some drugs.

BBQ

The last three days have been nothing but work, hard work. I had the night off, though, and got to see some friends.

Church peeps Matty and Chelsea took advantage of their rare-find patio and had a BBQ tonight. Everyone was talking about how cold it was but this Floridian thought it was quite nice out. So here's another reason I love LIC: I get off the train just a few blocks from their first floor walk up and on the way, because LIC is cool like that, I pass many shops which are all open and full of people just out and about. I stopped by Vine Wine shop and picked up a bottle for the dinner. So convenient! All with the lights of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings within view, beautiful (pic). If you can't tell already, as long as I'm not working I love it here. Church setup in the AM. Happy Mothers Day to all the baby-mama out there!

Smarty Cat

Happy Cinco de Mayo! It’s such an authentic and valued holiday that I feel silly not going out tonight, ha. I did go out last night after class which was needed after spending most of the day in the library. Molly (left in pic) had a housewarming party at her and her brother’s new apartment just a few blocks from work in Midtown West. Definitely the nicest place I’ve seen yet in the city.

They have two cats, two dogs, and a fish which, for the city, is a zoo. Sam and Thumbelina (pic) really wanted some of my dinner and made me wish for Pup. Molly’s bro plays in Broadway’s Avenue Q so tons of artists from the show were there which is cool, but cooler if you actually appreciate theater. By the way, it’s amazing how good fries from White Castle taste when you add truffle oil and rosemary.

Today, after finishing my Pathology exam early, I wandered the halls to waste some time where I found this old school advertisement for my college. I like it, its blog-worthy. Yoga and the gym tonight were hot, but good. Class, errands, and work tomorrow. Adios.

STUDy

Sorry folks, nothing exciting today. I had class this morning, and a paper do in tonight's class. Oh, and two tests tomorrow morning. With that being said, I'm a slave to the library today but by tomorrow afternoon I will be a free man!

Peyroux

I have been so busy! Not the fun kind, but work busy. Too busy to even blog. I've worked the last four days and work tonight. The weather was warm so we overwhelmed with guests at the restaurant. Other than work, though, I did get to see Madeleine Peyroux at the famous Blue Note Jazz Club Saturday night. Even in standing room only we could see and hear her well and she was amazing. Later, we walked from Washington Square into the West Village for drinks. It’s a very distinct area with interesting people, a.k.a. freaks.

It was nice to see some more people that are not my co-workers on Sunday morning at church. I was late because of these bikers in the top pic that were in LIC all day. I stood at the crosswalk for a good ten minutes and still got yelled at by the cop when I eventually just ran for it. I skipped out on lunch afterward and went to the park to get some sun and do some homework (pic).

Today I’ll be studying and hitting up the gym for the first time in a while before I have to go into work. It's too bad you have to work, to make money, to have fun. Work is fun until we get slammed, which is no fun at all. I hope to have time to talk to you soon! :)