I did my last walk-around the neighb today. This week has been consumed with getting my life together, so I wanted to experience, for the last time as a resident, some of the things that made me love calling the UES home. Close access to the park, a killer bagelry right around the corner and inexpensive matinees at the local movie theatre all all things I’ll miss. Not pictured favorites: the 92nd St. Y, Museum Mile, The Astor House, and weirdly and boringly enough, the corner Duane Reade.
Hi hi hi! Happy Monday from an insane person. Why insane, you ask? Well, some part of my brain thought it was an excellent idea to schedule my first improv performance, my first Winter Ball, my second move to the Heights all within three days of each other. Also in the mix: working my regular (crazy) work hours, wrapping up all the loose ends that I don’t want to take with me to my new (old) apartment and attempting to maintain some sort of overarching normalcy. In other words, it’s going to be quite the week.
In a ways, I’m sad to leave my current apartment. It was my baby…my baby that got way out of hand and unmanageable and unnecessarily inconvenient and at times infested with bugs…but my baby, nonetheless. Moving in to a situation that may fit my lifestyle better is a change I’m welcoming, but I’d be lying if I said there weren’t going to be aspects I’m going to miss about my Upper East Side abode. It boasted the largest bedroom I’ll likely ever have (complete with chandelier and fireplace), built-in storage, a dishwasher, and we had the world’s sweetest landlord. These are all things I’ll look back on with fond memories. The cockroaches from the 2nd Ave. construction and stress-inducing commute to my job on the West side, good riddance.
Woof. Spent the past few days down for the count, so I wasn’t really feeling a hearty post today. Here’s a few of the items that got me through. And I have to admit, it wasn’t just season one of Scandal. I guess you could now consider me an #Olitz superfan… #notproud
I went to my birthstate of Ohio for Christmas, and it was lovely. While I wish I had a hilariously long and witty event-filled recap for you, that wouldn’t be paying proper homage to my hometown. But full disclosure: doing a whole lot of nothing for six days was exactly what I needed. I was able to spend some quality time with all of the friends and family I wanted to see, and to me, that’s what home is. Well, that and Wal-Mart people-watching, Bob Evans’ breakfasts and $5 movies at the 11% occupied “mall.” I unfortunately wasn’t able to get any good family pictures this time around, which is seriously depressing because my mom’s Facebook default is from the stage of my life when an old manager informed me I had the hairstyle of an Orthodox Jew. But I suppose that’s just another reason for them (my parents, not Jewish women) to come and visit me in old New York!
Happy nondenominational holiday eve to all! Just kidding, Christians only. Today, I embark on my week “vacation” to Ohio. I’ll likely be taking the rest of the week off blogging to celebrate the holiday and catch up with friends and family; I will allegedly resume normal posting duties on Monday the 30th. Try not to miss me too much. And you guys, amidst all the crazy, please don’t forget the real meaning of ChristMAS: the “más” which means “more” in Spanish. More presents, more food, more wine. :) But really, I hope Santa’s good to all of you Beliebers out there! Xo.
As much as I am looking forward to being home for the holidays, there’s one thing I’m dreading. The questions from family/friends always begin with “What’s it like living in New York City?” or “Do you think you’ll stay?” … then slowly turn into “How is your job going?” and “That real estate market in New York is crazy, huh?” … and always funnel down to the real point of conversation “So, are you seeing anybody?” or “Anyone special in your life?”
“Are you in a relationship?” It’s a yes or no question, but it never seems like one word will suffice. I’ve been single (or a least, not in a serious relationship) for the good majority of my life, and people have opinions about it. People will always have opinions. I didn’t meet my soul mate in high school. I didn’t meet my soul mate in college. The industries I’ve worked in since graduation are predominantly saturated with gay men. Also, I hate dating. These aren’t excuses, they’re facts. I’ve had boyfriends. I’ve gone on dates. I’ve had casual flings. Do you see me bringing someone home for the holidays? Do you see a ring on it? Nothing’s worked out. It’s Christmas day and the great woes and tragedies of my love life aren’t necessarily the things I feel like talking about right now, that cool?
I think one of the main reasons the question frustrates me so much, is because I will never be a person who is defined by my romantic relationship. I don’t fault you if you are, but that just isn’t me. I am defined by my beliefs and my morals and my successes. I moved to New York City when I was 21 — jobless, homeless, near penniless and by myself — to begin my career. Two and a half years later, I have so much more than I would have ever imagined — I have a life here — and I’m still nowhere near finished. I have a wonderful full-time job, I write this blog, I am member of an amazing women’s volunteer organization, I take writing and comedy classes, I’m working on a script, I work out, I sleep, I socialize with friends, I sometimes force myself to date. I’m nowhere near ready to settle down and have kids. I may never be ready to settle down and have kids. I’ve always been restless, driven and independent. When you add in a backdrop of the concrete jungle that never sleeps filled with the most ambitious people in the world, I thrive. And if you’ve known me for twenty-four years, you should know this too.
I guess what I’m trying to say is no, I don’t have a boyfriend. No, I don’t have a girlfriend, either. I’m single, but I have a fulfilling life. Ask me about my improv classes. Ask me about getting to see Joy Behar or Lena Dunham or Seth Meyers. Ask me about what it’s like to be one of the top Consultants in my industry. These are all questions I would welcome and love to answer. *End rant*
Thanksgiving week us upon us, pals! While I’m excited to have a few days off of work, spend time with some of my amazing friends and see the Macy’s parade in person, I’m a little bit dreading cooking for Friendsgiving (Or Friendsgivukkah, as I’m refer to it while pretending I have Jewish friends that will be in attendance). While I’ve had my outfit picked out for a week, I’m a little more last minute when it comes to preparing my portion of the menu. I like to pretend I can hold my own in the kitchen (I CAN if you consider “holding my own” microwaving a veggie patty and eating it off of a paper towel); but in all honesty, cooking is challenge for me. Perhaps, more that it’s something-I-don’t-allot-the-time-for-because-I’m-single-and-content-eating-microwave-popcorn-everyday, and less an actual challenge. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Here are some recipes I’ve found on the web that sound awesome — so someone should probably make them and bring them to our gathering because letsbehonest, I’m bringing wine.
Happy Columbus Day! While many believe today’s holiday is for celebrating the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas, I know the true meaning: to commemorate the great city that is Columbus, Ohio. ;)
Although I didn’t exactly grow up in C-bus, my small hometown was a little under an hour away, so when describing where I’m from, it’s usually my default answer. Once my friends and I were of age to drive, we jetted South as often as we could and spent many weekends and summers in various Columbus neighborhoods, to add some kind of urban flair to our lives. To show my respect for the great capital of the Buckeye State, I’m going to make a list of the things I miss most about my almost home-city, Columbus.
5. Jeni’s. How do I get my hands on some Cinderella Pumpkin ice cream, stat?
6. OSU Football. Duh.
7. Comfest: the best hippie festival in the state.
8. The Columbus Zoo
9. North Market
10. And because I’m a huge cheese-ball, the last but certainly not least thing on my list is all of my family and friends who live there. I’m definitely feeling more homesick than normal for central Ohio today. :(
As per Monday’s post, I’ve been in training for my new job in the city this week. I’m having a great time, learning a ton and the hours are absolute BLISS; but emotionally/mentally/physically, I’m a little drained. So I’m going to lazily revert to the Instagram’s most prevalent default series for the fourth day of the workweek: Throwback Thursday.
The seasonal chill to the air has got me missing Ohio (and porch weather…and my alma mater UD) more than usual. Here’s a throwback picture of a few of my favorite people, at one of the greatest places in the world, a few (maybe more than a few) years ago. How I long for a chance to relive one of these summer adventures with these amazing girls whom I’ve known since childhood. *Cue the intro to Kenny Chesney’s “I Go Back”*
Regardless if our paths will ever allow us to be as crazy and infallible as we were that summer, I’m so thankful that you both still have such an active presence in my life. If two decades and three states can’t break up our friendship, I’m thinking we’re in this thing for life. Miss you both to the moon (or ya know, to Cle and Indy) and back.
October is my favorite month of the year. Once in high school, I had my birthday celebration in October because that’s when I thought I should have been born. I know, that’s super bratty and obnoxious. Yes, I am an only child; what’s your point?. I digress… I crafted a Polyvore with some pretty cool stuff that’s getting me excited for my favorite month! Enjoy.
Uptown Moxie 