A friend of mine the other day tweeted that she was starting her New Years Resolutions now, so that by the time January 1st rolls around, they will be formed habits. It was at that moment that I realized in my 22 years, I had finally done something I had never done before – stuck to a New Years Resolution.
Every year I tell myself that I will lose a few pounds and try some fun, new activity (photography, skiing, painting), and every year I work out for approximately three weeks and avoid leaving my comfort zone. This past year on January 1st, I made a resolution to start running, and I mean really running, and in the process I lost more than a few pounds (go me!) and finished my first half marathon this past October. Last weekend, I completed a 5-mile Turkey Trot, my sixth race this year. I’m proud of myself for proving myself and other naysayers wrong and competing in what I thought was the impossible.
It’s not about “How skinny can I get?” although jean shopping is now a guilty pleasure, but how hard can I push myself and how will I be rewarded for my efforts. I have a new connection with my body – every muscle, tendon, and bone feels different to me now. I eat foods based on how they will assist me in performance. You try running a 10k after a night of drinking and see how you feel; or running on a sugary cereal breakfast. It just does not work. Egg whites, spinach, oatmeal, fruits, veggies and lean meats make my body feel good. Cheese, greasy fast food, pizza and ice cream make my body feel lousy. And what the body wants, the body gets, especially when that half marathon I ran in 2:15 has motivated me to run my next half in under two hours.
So in keeping with my friend’s idea of early planning, my 2012 New Years Resolutions are to run my second half marathon AND my first full marathon…Let the training begin!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Who Knew I Was Such A Feminist?
The other night I received a 3 am (so I guess the other morning) phone call from a guy I had gone on one date with two months ago. I chose not to answer the call since I probably would have yelled obscenities I would later regret. It was Saturday morning, the first time all week I could sleep soundly through the night with no alarm clock, and I am tossed from my slumber by a loud ringing on my IPhone – I know, my fault for not silencing the phone. I was hesitant to respond in the morning since the communication we had previously shared had not gone well…
He contacted me three days after our date to say “Happy your people’s day” on St. Patrick’s Day, I wrote back a cheery thank you. Asked me a week later why I hadn’t blogged about our date. I wrote back that I kept some things private…until now, of course. He responded one day later “Want to see each other again?” I responded with a “sure” but that he didn’t seem too eager to see me since two weeks had passed since our last date. He responded 24 hrs later saying his family had been in town. I “forgot” to answer him.
But curiosity got the best of me, and I thought perhaps I had written this guy off too soon. Why else would he think it was okay to call me at 3am? We never did any of the things that people usually do at 3am, so I thought naively, “maybe he’s just up late and wants to chat.”(How many of you are rolling your eyes right now?) I text him when I woke up and asked if he needed to be bailed out of jail – another plausible explanation. He apologized for the call and stated his reasoning was that “my friends were in town and asked if I knew a cute redhead.”
Huh…That’s why you called?!
I was immediately turned off, but couldn’t quite figure out why. He had done this before we met each other too. When we had started chatting on OkCupid, one of his first comments was, “You’re cute!” My response was to change the subject. I wasn’t sure exactly what my problem was until I started to work it out in my head. At first I thought it was a self image problem. “Don’t call me cute, because I’m not” sort of deal, but that wasn’t it. Looks are important in any relationship – it’s a fact that you must be slightly attracted to someone for there to be chemistry. However, at least in my world, there is so much more to a person and it’s that extra “stuff” that I fall for. I’ve liked other guys in the past. Head over heels, infatuated, dressed up, put make-up on and straightened my hair so he’d notice me liked guys. And I found them attractive. Very attractive. But they were also smart, sweet, funny, caring, creative, motivated guys. The attraction grew from all of those other great qualities.
So turns out I don’t enjoy being objectified (Apologies if anyone has stopped reading because they feel I’m being over dramatic.) This person had met me once. He knew nothing about me, and when his buddies came over and asked for a “cute” redhead, he called one up not caring that he had never offered to take her out again and not caring that he was probably waking her up. I know, he was drunk blah blah blah. What exactly did they think would happen? The cute redhead was going to put on her shoes and come over for a group hug? I’m sure he didn’t realize he had offended me, and I played it off. I kept chatting like the nice, easy going girl I pretend to be, and when he left the conversation with no need for me to respond, I didn’t. I won’t see this person again. I considered it before, but now the chemistry is gone, my annoyance would probably be apparent and there are just too many fish in the sea (note square peg, round hole metaphor from a few posts back.)
He contacted me three days after our date to say “Happy your people’s day” on St. Patrick’s Day, I wrote back a cheery thank you. Asked me a week later why I hadn’t blogged about our date. I wrote back that I kept some things private…until now, of course. He responded one day later “Want to see each other again?” I responded with a “sure” but that he didn’t seem too eager to see me since two weeks had passed since our last date. He responded 24 hrs later saying his family had been in town. I “forgot” to answer him.
But curiosity got the best of me, and I thought perhaps I had written this guy off too soon. Why else would he think it was okay to call me at 3am? We never did any of the things that people usually do at 3am, so I thought naively, “maybe he’s just up late and wants to chat.”(How many of you are rolling your eyes right now?) I text him when I woke up and asked if he needed to be bailed out of jail – another plausible explanation. He apologized for the call and stated his reasoning was that “my friends were in town and asked if I knew a cute redhead.”
Huh…That’s why you called?!
I was immediately turned off, but couldn’t quite figure out why. He had done this before we met each other too. When we had started chatting on OkCupid, one of his first comments was, “You’re cute!” My response was to change the subject. I wasn’t sure exactly what my problem was until I started to work it out in my head. At first I thought it was a self image problem. “Don’t call me cute, because I’m not” sort of deal, but that wasn’t it. Looks are important in any relationship – it’s a fact that you must be slightly attracted to someone for there to be chemistry. However, at least in my world, there is so much more to a person and it’s that extra “stuff” that I fall for. I’ve liked other guys in the past. Head over heels, infatuated, dressed up, put make-up on and straightened my hair so he’d notice me liked guys. And I found them attractive. Very attractive. But they were also smart, sweet, funny, caring, creative, motivated guys. The attraction grew from all of those other great qualities.
So turns out I don’t enjoy being objectified (Apologies if anyone has stopped reading because they feel I’m being over dramatic.) This person had met me once. He knew nothing about me, and when his buddies came over and asked for a “cute” redhead, he called one up not caring that he had never offered to take her out again and not caring that he was probably waking her up. I know, he was drunk blah blah blah. What exactly did they think would happen? The cute redhead was going to put on her shoes and come over for a group hug? I’m sure he didn’t realize he had offended me, and I played it off. I kept chatting like the nice, easy going girl I pretend to be, and when he left the conversation with no need for me to respond, I didn’t. I won’t see this person again. I considered it before, but now the chemistry is gone, my annoyance would probably be apparent and there are just too many fish in the sea (note square peg, round hole metaphor from a few posts back.)
Friday, May 13, 2011
When Life Gives You Lemons...
I’ve been keeping some important news to myself for quite a while, but figured it was time to share. The truth shall set you free, no? My internship, which has given me so much over the past 8 months including hands on experience and great networking opportunities, is ending on June 17th with no full time position in sight. If that weren’t enough, my apartment’s lease is up on May 30th and since I do not potentially have a job after mid-June, I could not take over the lease from my roommate who is moving out of the city to pursue career opportunities. I am so very fortunate to have family so close and will be moving back home to New Jersey for the summer (Almost as if I’m still a college student…ah the memories.) I could spend time, energy and money searching out apartments in need of roommates on Craig’s List, but without a job in sight, this is just not practical. And Craig’s List kinda scares me.
I also need to begin saving again. I know that when you live in a big city at the age of 22, you are expected to scrape by living on spaghettios, but frankly, I haven’t been able to seriously enjoy New York since moving here. With rent, transportation fees, utilities and groceries ($7 for a box of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios? Really, Gristedes?), I have been unable to participate in all of the things I love most about this wonderful city: Broadway shows, fancy restaurants, museums, cab rides, shopping and so much more. I could never leave for long, so I promise the world this is a temporary arrangement (especially since I have been on several internal interviews with different segments of my company – I’m sure something will work out!), but until I save a little money, land the full time, salaried position and have the ability to live in the city AND eat out a few times a week, I will be calling NJ home once again.
I’m disappointed with the situation, but not with myself. In all honesty, I would have been traveling home every weekend of the summer to soak in the Jersey Shore rays anyhow, so this isn’t a tragedy. There is a part of me that wants to be able to do all of this on my own. Moving back in with my parents seems like a step in the wrong direction, but I keep telling myself that now I will have the money to take a writing course on the side and will be able to buy a new pair of shoes from time to time. Some pressure has been removed. For all I know, I could have a new position starting June 20th and what a happy thing that will be, but I will still stay home for a little while in order to make sure I can get the most out of my salary. In this economy, I know I’m not alone, and that’s a good feeling. Unfortunately, job security for the under 25 crowd is not promising. So Mr. President, Excellent job on killing Bin Laden. If you could now work on the economic crisis facing our nation, that would be great. I’d like to be able to move out for good some day. I think my parents would like that too.
I also need to begin saving again. I know that when you live in a big city at the age of 22, you are expected to scrape by living on spaghettios, but frankly, I haven’t been able to seriously enjoy New York since moving here. With rent, transportation fees, utilities and groceries ($7 for a box of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios? Really, Gristedes?), I have been unable to participate in all of the things I love most about this wonderful city: Broadway shows, fancy restaurants, museums, cab rides, shopping and so much more. I could never leave for long, so I promise the world this is a temporary arrangement (especially since I have been on several internal interviews with different segments of my company – I’m sure something will work out!), but until I save a little money, land the full time, salaried position and have the ability to live in the city AND eat out a few times a week, I will be calling NJ home once again.
I’m disappointed with the situation, but not with myself. In all honesty, I would have been traveling home every weekend of the summer to soak in the Jersey Shore rays anyhow, so this isn’t a tragedy. There is a part of me that wants to be able to do all of this on my own. Moving back in with my parents seems like a step in the wrong direction, but I keep telling myself that now I will have the money to take a writing course on the side and will be able to buy a new pair of shoes from time to time. Some pressure has been removed. For all I know, I could have a new position starting June 20th and what a happy thing that will be, but I will still stay home for a little while in order to make sure I can get the most out of my salary. In this economy, I know I’m not alone, and that’s a good feeling. Unfortunately, job security for the under 25 crowd is not promising. So Mr. President, Excellent job on killing Bin Laden. If you could now work on the economic crisis facing our nation, that would be great. I’d like to be able to move out for good some day. I think my parents would like that too.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Lady's Got Potential
Please forgive the "Evita" reference in the title - I couldn't help myself. I’m currently reading “Bossypants” by Tina Fey – I love reading memoirs by powerful, smart women. Kelly Cutrone, Ivanka Trump, Tina Fey; all of these women have the common factor of great success, so I read their books hoping their ambitions and motivations will hop off my Kindle and into the section of the brain that gets things done. Of course, reading their words is only the first baby step. I doubt Hillary Clinton or Condoleezza Rice got to where they are today by reading lots of books about other accomplished women – they went out into the world to write their own stories (both of which have 352 pages each in their Hardcover books. Do you think Condi was trying to one up Hil?) Anyway, I always get the urge to go out and change the world after reading a good memoir about working your way to the top. They also make me feel like I’m not doing enough (in a “push yourself harder” way). Kelly lived in the crack den that was Times Square in the early 90’s sleeping on the couches of people she hardly knew. Ivanka, with the Trump name in tow, got her MBA from Wharton, and Tina, well, we know all that Tina has done and continues to do (She’s my favorite “Hollywood”, although I would call her much more New York, lady of the moment).
At the end of one of the chapters of “Bossypants,” Tina writes after “stealing” an office job from a coworker, “That makes me sound like a jerk, I know. But remember the beginning of the story where I was the underdog? No? Me either.” The minute I read that quick paragraph, I knew I needed to write about it. Because although I’ve haven’t come to the point where I have stolen a job from a co-worker, I’m sure the day will come. It’s all in the nature of the business. I was watching an episode of Dexter last night that was titled “Take it!” The episode focused on going after what you want in order to make yourself whole. I then watched Modern Family (I know, too much TV), and Claire gave a quick speech about how you should grab what you want and not worry about the consequences. I felt like God was sending me some sort of message. Your desires are there for the taking, but the “winners” in life are those who do what they need to in order to get ahead. Now, I won’t be killing anyone or doing any unsavory “favors” anytime soon, but I like the determination of not letting setbacks, people or situations stand in your way.
What I want is success. And I intend to achieve it. Who knows, maybe I’ll be the next Tina and write/produce/star in a hit NBC show; Maybe I’ll start a PR firm like Kelly; Maybe I’ll get into Real Estate and market towering buildings to Dubai like Ivanka; Maybe I’ll become Editor in Chief of a major fashion magazine where people write books that turn into movies about me like Anna; Maybe I’ll run for President someday like Hillary (hopefully without the philandering husband by my side). Either way, I won’t be sitting in a cube for the rest of my life inputting numbers into a spread sheet. I see now that realizing your full potential is the ultimate form of liberation.
I hope all of you will also figure out what you want out of life and take it. I would rather have an entire planet of ambitious freaks than lazy couch dwellers living in their parent’s basement at the age of 30. Work hard, save money, spend it on things you want whether it be schooling, traveling, cameras, computers. Take the time to evaluate yourself and then go for it. What’s the worse that can happen? You fail a few times - That’s a million times better than doing nothing at all.
At the end of one of the chapters of “Bossypants,” Tina writes after “stealing” an office job from a coworker, “That makes me sound like a jerk, I know. But remember the beginning of the story where I was the underdog? No? Me either.” The minute I read that quick paragraph, I knew I needed to write about it. Because although I’ve haven’t come to the point where I have stolen a job from a co-worker, I’m sure the day will come. It’s all in the nature of the business. I was watching an episode of Dexter last night that was titled “Take it!” The episode focused on going after what you want in order to make yourself whole. I then watched Modern Family (I know, too much TV), and Claire gave a quick speech about how you should grab what you want and not worry about the consequences. I felt like God was sending me some sort of message. Your desires are there for the taking, but the “winners” in life are those who do what they need to in order to get ahead. Now, I won’t be killing anyone or doing any unsavory “favors” anytime soon, but I like the determination of not letting setbacks, people or situations stand in your way.
What I want is success. And I intend to achieve it. Who knows, maybe I’ll be the next Tina and write/produce/star in a hit NBC show; Maybe I’ll start a PR firm like Kelly; Maybe I’ll get into Real Estate and market towering buildings to Dubai like Ivanka; Maybe I’ll become Editor in Chief of a major fashion magazine where people write books that turn into movies about me like Anna; Maybe I’ll run for President someday like Hillary (hopefully without the philandering husband by my side). Either way, I won’t be sitting in a cube for the rest of my life inputting numbers into a spread sheet. I see now that realizing your full potential is the ultimate form of liberation.
I hope all of you will also figure out what you want out of life and take it. I would rather have an entire planet of ambitious freaks than lazy couch dwellers living in their parent’s basement at the age of 30. Work hard, save money, spend it on things you want whether it be schooling, traveling, cameras, computers. Take the time to evaluate yourself and then go for it. What’s the worse that can happen? You fail a few times - That’s a million times better than doing nothing at all.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Weight Watchers: One Week Complete.
Today begins week two. I started Weight Watchers one week ago in hopes that I will finally lose the 10-20 pounds that have been following me around for ten years. I did Weight Watchers back in high school and lost about twelve pounds. Since then, I have probably put back on about four of those pounds. I work out very diligently so I am able to maintain without a problem. When I injured my tendon, I was unable to work out but was eating the same foods I had been eating before: A bag of peanut mm’s as an afternoon work snack from time to time, Tostitos and Queso when the mood struck and lots and lots of bread. Change was needed!
Working full time was the worst thing to happen to my waistline since they came out with double stuffed Oreos. I work in a building with many sales executives who host client meetings 3-4 times a week. They always have the meetings catered and there are always lots and lots of leftovers. Many of the choices are healthy – side salads and fruit, but for breakfast there is an assortment of muffins and bagels with cream cheese (I would always grab half of a multigrain bagel with cream cheese thinking, “It's multigrain, how bad can it be?”) and for lunch sandwiches with who knows what would be available to pick at. Mind you, I would usually already have eaten breakfast or lunch and then there would be more. Saying no to free food has been difficult, but this last week, I have done so well just taking the fruit. No more bagels (10 pts?!), no more corn muffins (a trillion pts.) and no more sandwiches after already eating lunch.
Weight Watchers is such a good system. You can eat whatever you like, but you have a set number of points you shouldn’t go over in a day. Never fear – if you do, you have a bundle of “flex” points to last you the week as well. You can literally have your cake and eat it too, just not three days in a row. I had no idea how much I was eating on a daily basis until I was forced to calculate it. A 6-inch subway sandwich and baked BBQ chips puts me back 11 points for lunch (a solid meal), but a bag of peanut mm’s has the same amount of points as the Subway sandwich does (8). When I realized I could eat a healthy dinner and use the same amount of points as the candy, they became much less desirable. Fresh fruits and veggies are zero points – I can eat as many of those all day long as I would like. Of course, this isn’t fool proof. Sodium is not calculated and we all should be watching our sodium intake, and fruits have loads of carbs, so eating three bananas a day is probably not the best option. But it’s good to know what I should be eating and what I should be staying away from. It’s been an eye opening beginning.
Now we are on to week two. I weighed myself this morning and the number went down, so I know it’s working…slowly but surely (sorry, I won’t be reporting the results – that number has always been for my eyes only.) The box my new scale came in had a picture of the scale reading 124.5. How rude – but I guess it’s something to strive for? Maybe? I’m a very competitive person, so competing with myself will be a blast. How much food can I eat today without going over 29 points? It’s like the ultimate challenge. Tina Fey lost thirty pounds when she was in her twenties just starting out in comedy on Weight Watchers, and Jennifer Hudson lost, what, eighty?! Success is possible and I’m determined to win this battle once and for all. Wish me luck!
Working full time was the worst thing to happen to my waistline since they came out with double stuffed Oreos. I work in a building with many sales executives who host client meetings 3-4 times a week. They always have the meetings catered and there are always lots and lots of leftovers. Many of the choices are healthy – side salads and fruit, but for breakfast there is an assortment of muffins and bagels with cream cheese (I would always grab half of a multigrain bagel with cream cheese thinking, “It's multigrain, how bad can it be?”) and for lunch sandwiches with who knows what would be available to pick at. Mind you, I would usually already have eaten breakfast or lunch and then there would be more. Saying no to free food has been difficult, but this last week, I have done so well just taking the fruit. No more bagels (10 pts?!), no more corn muffins (a trillion pts.) and no more sandwiches after already eating lunch.
Weight Watchers is such a good system. You can eat whatever you like, but you have a set number of points you shouldn’t go over in a day. Never fear – if you do, you have a bundle of “flex” points to last you the week as well. You can literally have your cake and eat it too, just not three days in a row. I had no idea how much I was eating on a daily basis until I was forced to calculate it. A 6-inch subway sandwich and baked BBQ chips puts me back 11 points for lunch (a solid meal), but a bag of peanut mm’s has the same amount of points as the Subway sandwich does (8). When I realized I could eat a healthy dinner and use the same amount of points as the candy, they became much less desirable. Fresh fruits and veggies are zero points – I can eat as many of those all day long as I would like. Of course, this isn’t fool proof. Sodium is not calculated and we all should be watching our sodium intake, and fruits have loads of carbs, so eating three bananas a day is probably not the best option. But it’s good to know what I should be eating and what I should be staying away from. It’s been an eye opening beginning.
Now we are on to week two. I weighed myself this morning and the number went down, so I know it’s working…slowly but surely (sorry, I won’t be reporting the results – that number has always been for my eyes only.) The box my new scale came in had a picture of the scale reading 124.5. How rude – but I guess it’s something to strive for? Maybe? I’m a very competitive person, so competing with myself will be a blast. How much food can I eat today without going over 29 points? It’s like the ultimate challenge. Tina Fey lost thirty pounds when she was in her twenties just starting out in comedy on Weight Watchers, and Jennifer Hudson lost, what, eighty?! Success is possible and I’m determined to win this battle once and for all. Wish me luck!
I'm A Big Girl Now
I turned 22 on Wednesday. Where does the time go? I remember a morning, not so long ago, when I was laying in my bed in my house across town from where my parents live now. My mom walked in and said “Happy Birthday, you’re double digits!” – I had hit the age of 10. I also remember coming home from school and blasting “Sweet Sixteen” by Hilary Duff in my garage on my 16th birthday. I guess I remember birthdays in six year increments. Alas, I am now 22. No longer able to say I’m a child; No longer able to say I’m 21. Sigh.
I had a lovely birthday. My parents took me out to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant and surprised me with an IPhone. The surprise actually came four hours before when my dad called and said, “Can you live without your cell phone for four hours?” I had a hunch something was in the works. I was thrilled. It’s my new favorite thing. I am an Apple junkie and have been waiting for Verizon to get the IPhone for forever and a day. All night long, I kept repeating to my family and friends the commercial on TV right now… “If you don’t have an IPhone, well, you don’t have an IPhone.” I’ve been living by that motto for months. And now I am one of the millions of happy people.
The last year has gone by so fast. I hear that’s what happens the older you get. Then before you know it, you’re forty staring into the mirror wondering how life passed by so quickly. For the first time, I’m completely content with my age. I can stop now. No need to go any higher. I actually became a little nervous when I realized that in 363 quick days, I will be 23. People get married at 23 and it’s not weird. Women have babies at 23 and it’s not frowned upon. Lives are serious at 23. Well, for some people – for others, not so much, but I still feel as if this is the beginning of actual adulthood. And it’s a little frightening.
I shouldn’t be as shocked as I am that I am approaching my mid twenties. I live on my own and have a job, but the job is an “internship” and the apartment has a lease that is ending soon (TBD on whether I will take it over.) My parents still drive me home and buy me groceries when I come to visit – I can’t be a grown up. Unfortunately, my biological make up disagrees and here I stand. I always attempt to make each year better than the last. This will definitely be a difficult challenge this year. I hit some major milestones at 21; I legally was able to drink, graduated college, got a job in New York and moved there too. I’m not sure if 22 can top that, but I will try like hell to make it happen. Hey, I got an IPhone. Maybe that was the first step.
I had a lovely birthday. My parents took me out to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant and surprised me with an IPhone. The surprise actually came four hours before when my dad called and said, “Can you live without your cell phone for four hours?” I had a hunch something was in the works. I was thrilled. It’s my new favorite thing. I am an Apple junkie and have been waiting for Verizon to get the IPhone for forever and a day. All night long, I kept repeating to my family and friends the commercial on TV right now… “If you don’t have an IPhone, well, you don’t have an IPhone.” I’ve been living by that motto for months. And now I am one of the millions of happy people.
The last year has gone by so fast. I hear that’s what happens the older you get. Then before you know it, you’re forty staring into the mirror wondering how life passed by so quickly. For the first time, I’m completely content with my age. I can stop now. No need to go any higher. I actually became a little nervous when I realized that in 363 quick days, I will be 23. People get married at 23 and it’s not weird. Women have babies at 23 and it’s not frowned upon. Lives are serious at 23. Well, for some people – for others, not so much, but I still feel as if this is the beginning of actual adulthood. And it’s a little frightening.
I shouldn’t be as shocked as I am that I am approaching my mid twenties. I live on my own and have a job, but the job is an “internship” and the apartment has a lease that is ending soon (TBD on whether I will take it over.) My parents still drive me home and buy me groceries when I come to visit – I can’t be a grown up. Unfortunately, my biological make up disagrees and here I stand. I always attempt to make each year better than the last. This will definitely be a difficult challenge this year. I hit some major milestones at 21; I legally was able to drink, graduated college, got a job in New York and moved there too. I’m not sure if 22 can top that, but I will try like hell to make it happen. Hey, I got an IPhone. Maybe that was the first step.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Down But Not Defeated...
Hello Friends – I’ve been out of commission for the last couple of weeks…literally! My running adventures have been put on hold thanks to Post Tibial Tendonitis in my right leg. The post tibial is the tendon that runs down the inside of your leg and into your foot. I have my third physical therapy session tomorrow morning and am well on my way to getting stronger. After a very painful deep tissue massage during my last session, I am aware of how much damage I could have done had I not went to the doctor. “No pain no gain” is not always true. Luckily I caught my problem just in time. No torn ligaments, just lots of muscle damage. And I will spend the next 4-6 weeks (ugh!) working hard to get better.
On the bright side, my physical therapist said I wouldn’t be sidelined all 4-6 weeks. I will run again and hopefully it will be very soon! In fact, I have registered for my first half marathon this September. I have plenty of time to heal and train, and I will be running better than ever before I know it. This sort of setback, which has sidelined me from the gym as well (no elliptical, no spin), has unfortunately put me in a bitter mood the last week or so. Working out has always been my very own anti-depressant pill in sweat form. I need those endorphins to help alleviate worries, stress and anxiety. The weather was so beautiful today and all I wanted to do was lace up my running shoes and join the hundreds of others I saw jogging through Central Park. But alas, I will wait. My time will come and until then I will focus on stretching, eating right, and today I got the clearance to do a little light biking. Baby steps.
Since I’m on a health kick right now, I’ll share with you a frightening statistic I read yesterday on Yahoo! Health. This article stated that people who work at jobs that require them to sit most of the day (so many of us!) are 54% more likely to die of heart attacks. Depressing statistic? I think so! Needless to say I spent the rest of my day walking to get water as often as possible and standing when it was unnecessary for me to sit (on phone calls, while making spreadsheets…people were definitely starting to stare. Eh, I’ll live longer.) I decided then and there that my future cannot include cubical work – or at least not without a stand for my computer. I need to write standing or have a job that has me walking all day long. Maybe I’ll become a flight attendant…or a dog walker.
When I leave work, I often go home and sit in my hard desk chair, on my bed or on the couch flipping through twitter, my emails, and the daily news – that is too much sitting in one day for a person. Even a walk or a trip to the gym (sad face) can’t reverse nine hours of sitting. My next purchase will have to be a standing desk. While searching for such a desk online (they are not as common as you would think), I came across this NY Times article that informed me I am behind the times. Written in August of last year, the author states that standing work stations, while odd and challenging to come across, are in vogue. Not only are you able to cure writer’s block while standing, but you also burn more calories. Hopefully a day will come when movable desks are the norm in the workplace, but until then, I’ll be standing awkwardly in my cube.
On the bright side, my physical therapist said I wouldn’t be sidelined all 4-6 weeks. I will run again and hopefully it will be very soon! In fact, I have registered for my first half marathon this September. I have plenty of time to heal and train, and I will be running better than ever before I know it. This sort of setback, which has sidelined me from the gym as well (no elliptical, no spin), has unfortunately put me in a bitter mood the last week or so. Working out has always been my very own anti-depressant pill in sweat form. I need those endorphins to help alleviate worries, stress and anxiety. The weather was so beautiful today and all I wanted to do was lace up my running shoes and join the hundreds of others I saw jogging through Central Park. But alas, I will wait. My time will come and until then I will focus on stretching, eating right, and today I got the clearance to do a little light biking. Baby steps.
Since I’m on a health kick right now, I’ll share with you a frightening statistic I read yesterday on Yahoo! Health. This article stated that people who work at jobs that require them to sit most of the day (so many of us!) are 54% more likely to die of heart attacks. Depressing statistic? I think so! Needless to say I spent the rest of my day walking to get water as often as possible and standing when it was unnecessary for me to sit (on phone calls, while making spreadsheets…people were definitely starting to stare. Eh, I’ll live longer.) I decided then and there that my future cannot include cubical work – or at least not without a stand for my computer. I need to write standing or have a job that has me walking all day long. Maybe I’ll become a flight attendant…or a dog walker.
When I leave work, I often go home and sit in my hard desk chair, on my bed or on the couch flipping through twitter, my emails, and the daily news – that is too much sitting in one day for a person. Even a walk or a trip to the gym (sad face) can’t reverse nine hours of sitting. My next purchase will have to be a standing desk. While searching for such a desk online (they are not as common as you would think), I came across this NY Times article that informed me I am behind the times. Written in August of last year, the author states that standing work stations, while odd and challenging to come across, are in vogue. Not only are you able to cure writer’s block while standing, but you also burn more calories. Hopefully a day will come when movable desks are the norm in the workplace, but until then, I’ll be standing awkwardly in my cube.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Online Dating: Time for a Cooling Off Period.
I tried. I really did. And now it may be time for a little break. You know the oft spoken line, “It’s not you, it’s me” and how we never believe it? Suuuurrre it’s not me. Well, this time, I’m serious: It really is me, not them (sort of). I got bored of online dating. It seemed like a lot of work to reach for something I’m not sure I completely want right now. Maybe when I’m thirty and still sleeping in my queen size bed alone will I decide that scourging the internet is the best way to find a man (maybe at 35?), but right now, a short month before my 22nd birthday, I love being single. I’m not sure if it’s the potential for nice weather, the drive I’m feeling in my career or the fact that I have all these weird quirks that I don’t feel like sharing with another person, but I’ve never been happier than I am right now at this moment. I’m on top of the moon, and I think it has to do with the fact that I’ve never felt so in control of my own life before. Why would I want to share the power just when I’ve found it?
Searching in this interesting online pool, I did discover a lot of things about myself. I learned I can decipher the difference between ideals and reality. I went on a few dates with a nice guy who made it very clear early on that he was not looking for anything serious. I won’t lie; a little part of me was nervous that I would become attached with Mr. unavailable – after all, in the movies it always works out. Carrie landed Mr. Big, didn’t she? But guess what, it never happened – I never got hooked. Me, Miss hopeless romantic, Miss has watched The Notebook so many times she can quote it, Miss Sex and the City episodes tell the story of her life, Miss wanted to be married since she was six and put a pillow case on the back of her head, did not start pining for the number one type of man you should never pine for. We had our fun, we moved on – it was perfect. And I learned that I enjoyed just having fun. I had my life, he had his, and I didn’t ever want to cross the two – who knew Kate could be this easy going? Not me, that’s for sure.
I also learned a little more about what I want out of life, and for now, a serious relationship does not make the cut. I have termed my relationship status as "chronically single" for many years now. I’m that girl, the single friend. Always have been, and hopefully always won’t be. But I made it sound like a disease – “chronically.” Now, I consider myself happily single...and even better, choosing to be single. I found myself working hard to schedule people into my life I wasn’t sure I even liked, and I began to really miss my free and focused single life. I enjoyed coming home to my home, just for me (and my roommate, of course). I love that I have my own space, my own life, my own time to do whatever I please. I’m sure with the right person, all of this will go out the window – I’ll want to see him constantly, talk with him daily and be together as much as possible, which brings me to the most important thing I’ve learned…
I do not have to waste my time forcing a square peg inside a round hole. If it doesn’t fit, it’s not going to. End of story. The right guy will be the right guy, and up until now, I’ve been focusing my energy on the wrong guys. I’m too selfish at this point in my life to waste my time waiting around for some boy to call, or text, or tweet (whatever it is we do nowadays). I don’t play games – I never had the time for them. I believe it doesn’t take that much time to feel the chemistry necessary to build a relationship, so I will stop trying to force it. Online dating has helped me see that I know what I want, I know what I don’t want and I know what I’m willing to put up with – and right now, that’s not a lot. Jobs, apartments, friendships and baby cousins celebrating their first birthdays mean more to me than something that just wasn’t fun anymore.
Of course, I won’t quit completely. I’m sure I’ll leave my profile up and even take a peek from time to time. The act of dating should be fun. It should not feel like my other job. So I think I’m going to try the old fashioned way for a bit. I’m going to enjoy my family, friends and life; I’m going to go to the museums and read in the park and see the Broadway shows I’ve been dying to see, and if Mr. Right happens to be in the Starbucks at the same time I am, well then what a fun spring surprise. If not, I have plenty to keep me occupied. This is New York after all – that’s a pretty reciprocal relationship in itself.
Searching in this interesting online pool, I did discover a lot of things about myself. I learned I can decipher the difference between ideals and reality. I went on a few dates with a nice guy who made it very clear early on that he was not looking for anything serious. I won’t lie; a little part of me was nervous that I would become attached with Mr. unavailable – after all, in the movies it always works out. Carrie landed Mr. Big, didn’t she? But guess what, it never happened – I never got hooked. Me, Miss hopeless romantic, Miss has watched The Notebook so many times she can quote it, Miss Sex and the City episodes tell the story of her life, Miss wanted to be married since she was six and put a pillow case on the back of her head, did not start pining for the number one type of man you should never pine for. We had our fun, we moved on – it was perfect. And I learned that I enjoyed just having fun. I had my life, he had his, and I didn’t ever want to cross the two – who knew Kate could be this easy going? Not me, that’s for sure.
I also learned a little more about what I want out of life, and for now, a serious relationship does not make the cut. I have termed my relationship status as "chronically single" for many years now. I’m that girl, the single friend. Always have been, and hopefully always won’t be. But I made it sound like a disease – “chronically.” Now, I consider myself happily single...and even better, choosing to be single. I found myself working hard to schedule people into my life I wasn’t sure I even liked, and I began to really miss my free and focused single life. I enjoyed coming home to my home, just for me (and my roommate, of course). I love that I have my own space, my own life, my own time to do whatever I please. I’m sure with the right person, all of this will go out the window – I’ll want to see him constantly, talk with him daily and be together as much as possible, which brings me to the most important thing I’ve learned…
I do not have to waste my time forcing a square peg inside a round hole. If it doesn’t fit, it’s not going to. End of story. The right guy will be the right guy, and up until now, I’ve been focusing my energy on the wrong guys. I’m too selfish at this point in my life to waste my time waiting around for some boy to call, or text, or tweet (whatever it is we do nowadays). I don’t play games – I never had the time for them. I believe it doesn’t take that much time to feel the chemistry necessary to build a relationship, so I will stop trying to force it. Online dating has helped me see that I know what I want, I know what I don’t want and I know what I’m willing to put up with – and right now, that’s not a lot. Jobs, apartments, friendships and baby cousins celebrating their first birthdays mean more to me than something that just wasn’t fun anymore.
Of course, I won’t quit completely. I’m sure I’ll leave my profile up and even take a peek from time to time. The act of dating should be fun. It should not feel like my other job. So I think I’m going to try the old fashioned way for a bit. I’m going to enjoy my family, friends and life; I’m going to go to the museums and read in the park and see the Broadway shows I’ve been dying to see, and if Mr. Right happens to be in the Starbucks at the same time I am, well then what a fun spring surprise. If not, I have plenty to keep me occupied. This is New York after all – that’s a pretty reciprocal relationship in itself.
Monday, March 21, 2011
L and K Take New York
I have been MIA yet again – sometimes a little internet detox is a good thing. And I have been so busy! This past weekend, my former roommate L came to visit me. We had such a blast and enjoyed New York the way I love to – the non-tourist way…Well, sort of. L flew in on Thursday (St. Patrick’s Day) and met me at my building. I took a half day on Thursday and off on Friday and we never stopped moving till I sat down at my desk this morning.
Thursday, the holiday heard round the world from all of the drunken people on the planet, was spent “pub crawling.” We hopped more than crawled, but went to a few places in midtown I had never visited before. The Pig and Whistle, The Mean Fiddler, and the Blarney Stone (are the names Irish enough?) were all very good to us…well except for the bartender who kept charging L eight bucks for glasses of coke with a splash of rum in them. L tried to joke with the bartender on her second trip to the bar and said, “Can you put rum in it this time?” The look on the guy’s face made the beer in my stomach churn. I promptly looked the other way pretending not to know the girl asking the lethal question.
Friday was the most beautiful day of the year so far. The temperature was a high of 73 and the sun was bright and shining. It was Heaven! L and I made our way over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art where we walked around for several hours looking at medieval and Italian paintings and sculptures. L did ask me to take pictures of her posing as some of the statues…Like I said, it was almost a tourist-free weekend. Friday night, L and I met my parents in midtown (it was so beautiful out that we decided to slowly walk from The Met to my dad’s office on 41st - 40+ blocks…and L thought she wouldn’t exercise on vacation) We all went down to Little Italy where we had the most fantastic meal sitting at a window that was opened wide and looked out onto Hester St – it was as if summer had come early. We ended the night at South Street Seaport sipping cocktails overlooking the East River and chatting about life – it’s nice that we’ve finally hit an age where we enjoy spending time with the parents.
We began Saturday by going to the Seinfeld Restaurant a few blocks from my apartment. They didn’t film there, but it is still cool to take photos outside and eat at a place that has been made famous by TV – and they make an awesome omelet. Saturday night was dedicated to the East Village. We discovered a few bars and decided to party it up NYU style. We wanted to go somewhere with a young college feel since that is where our friendship roots lie. After gin and tonics, rum and cokes, pizza with beer, and L dangerously sprinting across Broadway at 2am to hit up the McDonalds, we made it back home.
On Sunday, I woke up early and completed my first outdoor run of spring. Afterwards, L and I prepared to go see her first Broadway show – aptly titled “Chicago.” We had brunch (Sunday brunch is my favorite thing in the whole world) and then walked around the Theatre District stopping to take pictures with Daniel Radcliffe’s marquee for “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.” I’m pretty sure L enjoyed her first Broadway experience – I know I did! We went back to my apartment, ordered pizza, watched our school dominate George Mason and did some much needed relaxing. She left this morning and things are much quieter, but lonelier. I will miss my roommate very much and I was so happy I got to take New York with her. I hope my other three roommates come to visit soon because this weekend was so much fun – a repeat is necessary in the very near future!
Thursday, the holiday heard round the world from all of the drunken people on the planet, was spent “pub crawling.” We hopped more than crawled, but went to a few places in midtown I had never visited before. The Pig and Whistle, The Mean Fiddler, and the Blarney Stone (are the names Irish enough?) were all very good to us…well except for the bartender who kept charging L eight bucks for glasses of coke with a splash of rum in them. L tried to joke with the bartender on her second trip to the bar and said, “Can you put rum in it this time?” The look on the guy’s face made the beer in my stomach churn. I promptly looked the other way pretending not to know the girl asking the lethal question.
Friday was the most beautiful day of the year so far. The temperature was a high of 73 and the sun was bright and shining. It was Heaven! L and I made our way over to The Metropolitan Museum of Art where we walked around for several hours looking at medieval and Italian paintings and sculptures. L did ask me to take pictures of her posing as some of the statues…Like I said, it was almost a tourist-free weekend. Friday night, L and I met my parents in midtown (it was so beautiful out that we decided to slowly walk from The Met to my dad’s office on 41st - 40+ blocks…and L thought she wouldn’t exercise on vacation) We all went down to Little Italy where we had the most fantastic meal sitting at a window that was opened wide and looked out onto Hester St – it was as if summer had come early. We ended the night at South Street Seaport sipping cocktails overlooking the East River and chatting about life – it’s nice that we’ve finally hit an age where we enjoy spending time with the parents.
We began Saturday by going to the Seinfeld Restaurant a few blocks from my apartment. They didn’t film there, but it is still cool to take photos outside and eat at a place that has been made famous by TV – and they make an awesome omelet. Saturday night was dedicated to the East Village. We discovered a few bars and decided to party it up NYU style. We wanted to go somewhere with a young college feel since that is where our friendship roots lie. After gin and tonics, rum and cokes, pizza with beer, and L dangerously sprinting across Broadway at 2am to hit up the McDonalds, we made it back home.
On Sunday, I woke up early and completed my first outdoor run of spring. Afterwards, L and I prepared to go see her first Broadway show – aptly titled “Chicago.” We had brunch (Sunday brunch is my favorite thing in the whole world) and then walked around the Theatre District stopping to take pictures with Daniel Radcliffe’s marquee for “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.” I’m pretty sure L enjoyed her first Broadway experience – I know I did! We went back to my apartment, ordered pizza, watched our school dominate George Mason and did some much needed relaxing. She left this morning and things are much quieter, but lonelier. I will miss my roommate very much and I was so happy I got to take New York with her. I hope my other three roommates come to visit soon because this weekend was so much fun – a repeat is necessary in the very near future!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Plan…Who Needs A Plan?
I will not plan. I will not plan. I will not plan. Help! Whatever you would like to call it (date, get together, snuggle session) number 3 is happening tonight with okcupid guy #1 and there is no plan in sight. He’s been very busy; I’ve been very busy; and so tonight is an “I’ll text you when I’m heading uptown” date…or whatever you would like to call it. I don’t do well in these situations. I need to plan EVERYTHING. What time will we go out? Where are we going? What will we do? It’s a good thing I’m an event intern, but this is exactly the type of obsessive behavior I have vowed to give up for Lent. It may have seemed trivial at the time, but when I see how my obsessive instincts start taking over my brain, I know that they are something I have to give up in order to better function in this unpredictable world.
I wish I could be the “go with the flow” girl. I’ve never been that girl. Ever. I pretend to be that girl from time to time. I say things like, “Oh sure, we’ll just wing it” as my chest begins to tighten. Some may find my idiosyncrasies endearing, but I’m sure most people just get annoyed. Who wants to receive a text that says…
“We could go see the movie at 9:45 or we could get coffee at 10:30 or we can just forget about tonight and grab appetizers a night next week. Does Wednesday work? Or we could just do drinks. Whatever.”
And that wasn't even an "I like you so I'm nervous" text. That's just me needing a plan. I’m surprised he still wants to see me after that. I may even judge him a little. Most guys say that they love the t-shirt and jeans girl who faces life as one big adventure. We all know that girl. I call her the Blake Lively type: The blonde, tan girl who likes to surf. I find that people who surf are easy-going individuals. I don’t know how to surf, and while the beach is lovely on a hot summer day, I prefer to live in the city. I’m the quintessential neurotic girl – A mental mix between Carrie Bradshaw and Monica Gellar sans the size 2 waists. I do a good job of hiding it at first, but if you’re going to hang around with me for a prolonged period of time, you will discover my secret.
So tonight, I will try my hardest to be Blake. I will workout, shower, get ready and go about my night not caring if he ends up texting me or not (even though I’ll be all ready to go somewhere at 10:30 p.m.….my usual bedtime on a work night.) Once he calls (assuming he does), I’ll go out into the night with no plan in mind. I’ll just be happy to have nice company and New York…even though it may rain. I’ll plan to bring an umbrella. I can at least plan that, right? This is going to be the longest 40 days of my life.
I wish I could be the “go with the flow” girl. I’ve never been that girl. Ever. I pretend to be that girl from time to time. I say things like, “Oh sure, we’ll just wing it” as my chest begins to tighten. Some may find my idiosyncrasies endearing, but I’m sure most people just get annoyed. Who wants to receive a text that says…
“We could go see the movie at 9:45 or we could get coffee at 10:30 or we can just forget about tonight and grab appetizers a night next week. Does Wednesday work? Or we could just do drinks. Whatever.”
And that wasn't even an "I like you so I'm nervous" text. That's just me needing a plan. I’m surprised he still wants to see me after that. I may even judge him a little. Most guys say that they love the t-shirt and jeans girl who faces life as one big adventure. We all know that girl. I call her the Blake Lively type: The blonde, tan girl who likes to surf. I find that people who surf are easy-going individuals. I don’t know how to surf, and while the beach is lovely on a hot summer day, I prefer to live in the city. I’m the quintessential neurotic girl – A mental mix between Carrie Bradshaw and Monica Gellar sans the size 2 waists. I do a good job of hiding it at first, but if you’re going to hang around with me for a prolonged period of time, you will discover my secret.
So tonight, I will try my hardest to be Blake. I will workout, shower, get ready and go about my night not caring if he ends up texting me or not (even though I’ll be all ready to go somewhere at 10:30 p.m.….my usual bedtime on a work night.) Once he calls (assuming he does), I’ll go out into the night with no plan in mind. I’ll just be happy to have nice company and New York…even though it may rain. I’ll plan to bring an umbrella. I can at least plan that, right? This is going to be the longest 40 days of my life.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Religion: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
I will be the first to admit I am not the most ardent Catholic. Catholicism and I have had our issues. I like the idea of my religion – the large glamorous cathedral filled with people with similar beliefs saying the same words that have been said for hundreds of years (although now we say them in English, not Latin.) I like the idea of getting married in a large church with an officiating priest. I like the idea of giving my future children a moral foundation, a baptism, and a communion. I like the idea of eating the host every Sunday (although it always tastes like cardboard). Church always made me feel good when I left.
Then there are the things that create a wedge between Catholicism and myself. I don’t like the judgmental and discriminatory attitudes that the Catholic Church possesses. I don’t like how the church treats women and gays as secondary citizens. I don’t like how they do not allow their priests to marry (causing scores of abuse cases across the world.) I don’t like how the Pope decides every moral stance that “good” Catholics must abide by (Fun Facts: Did you know babies born via IVF cannot be baptized? Oh and birth control, while not completely accepted, is now slightly okay because of the AIDS epidemic.)
I am a very spiritual person. I do believe in God, and my God is a very loving, non-judgmental God who is forgiving of all of my bad choices and embraces my flaws. After all, God makes no mistakes, right Gaga? When I see all of the fighting and hatred plaguing this world in the name of God, it saddens me. God is about love, not hate. But it seems like religion has missed the mark. Catholics and Protestants are still killing each other in Ireland, Muslims hate the Jews, and the Westboro Baptist Church hates everyone, including dead soldiers and nine year-old girls. Where is the love, people?
With that said, I still get ashes on Ash Wednesday. Some would call me a “fair-weather” Catholic. You know who those people are – The Catholics that show up to church three times a year: Ash Wednesday, Easter and Christmas Eve/Day. Perhaps that is what I am, but I like the idea of Lent. I make sure I do not eat meat on Fridays (Does anyone else miss “Pizza Fridays” from when we were children?), and I give up something for 40 days in hopes that it will bring me closer to God. Usually I just give up chocolate or ice cream hoping I will also lose ten pounds in the process, but this year, I want to give up more substantial things. My goal is to find a way to merge the things I do appreciate about the religion I’m not sure I want to keep and the things that I believe all religions are lacking, but are necessary to making the world a better place. So during this Lenten season, I want to give up negative, hateful and judgmental thoughts, obsessive behaviors, and worries (unless truly justified). Maybe this can be like a “pay it forward” experiment. I will become more carefree and loving and those I encounter will go on and be the same. This is New York, so it may be a challenge (we thrive on cynicism), but at the end of my 40 days (and why stop there?), perhaps I’ll feel a deeper connection with God, my family, my friends and the world.
Then there are the things that create a wedge between Catholicism and myself. I don’t like the judgmental and discriminatory attitudes that the Catholic Church possesses. I don’t like how the church treats women and gays as secondary citizens. I don’t like how they do not allow their priests to marry (causing scores of abuse cases across the world.) I don’t like how the Pope decides every moral stance that “good” Catholics must abide by (Fun Facts: Did you know babies born via IVF cannot be baptized? Oh and birth control, while not completely accepted, is now slightly okay because of the AIDS epidemic.)
I am a very spiritual person. I do believe in God, and my God is a very loving, non-judgmental God who is forgiving of all of my bad choices and embraces my flaws. After all, God makes no mistakes, right Gaga? When I see all of the fighting and hatred plaguing this world in the name of God, it saddens me. God is about love, not hate. But it seems like religion has missed the mark. Catholics and Protestants are still killing each other in Ireland, Muslims hate the Jews, and the Westboro Baptist Church hates everyone, including dead soldiers and nine year-old girls. Where is the love, people?
With that said, I still get ashes on Ash Wednesday. Some would call me a “fair-weather” Catholic. You know who those people are – The Catholics that show up to church three times a year: Ash Wednesday, Easter and Christmas Eve/Day. Perhaps that is what I am, but I like the idea of Lent. I make sure I do not eat meat on Fridays (Does anyone else miss “Pizza Fridays” from when we were children?), and I give up something for 40 days in hopes that it will bring me closer to God. Usually I just give up chocolate or ice cream hoping I will also lose ten pounds in the process, but this year, I want to give up more substantial things. My goal is to find a way to merge the things I do appreciate about the religion I’m not sure I want to keep and the things that I believe all religions are lacking, but are necessary to making the world a better place. So during this Lenten season, I want to give up negative, hateful and judgmental thoughts, obsessive behaviors, and worries (unless truly justified). Maybe this can be like a “pay it forward” experiment. I will become more carefree and loving and those I encounter will go on and be the same. This is New York, so it may be a challenge (we thrive on cynicism), but at the end of my 40 days (and why stop there?), perhaps I’ll feel a deeper connection with God, my family, my friends and the world.
Monday, March 7, 2011
How Much Info Is Too Much Info…
The dating world is full of questions. There are the favorites: "Does he like me?" and “Is this going anywhere?” There are the scary ones for later in the relationship: "Does he want to marry me?" and "When will I meet his mother?" Then there are the questions we ask ourselves very early on: “Who is this person?” “Will he kidnap me after dinner?” These are all important questions that need to be answered, but in this technological age we live in, when do the questions and the search for the answers need to end?
We are able to discover the origins and complete biographies of any person with the click of a mouse. Cyber stalking is nothing new, and most people do it – some with romantic prospects, some with job prospects. We expect to find a person with a credible past attached to a link when we hit the enter key – oh and a picture would be nice as well. The second I search for a person with no trace, new questions run through my mind: Is he a serial killer? Is he a foreign spy? Is he 16? Am I a rational 21st century female doing my homework in order to protect my heart and my bank accounts, or have we taken the mystery out of dating?
My mom and I were chatting earlier today and she said to me, “The only thing I worry about in this age of technology is that people can hide parts of who they are.” Her point was about online dating and going out with people you have zero connections to, but her overall statement was actually incorrect. I explained that back in her younger years, dating was much more secretive. You had no way of knowing if the guy you met at the bar was escaping parole or wanted for murder. Instead, you just hoped that your gut instinct would send you running the other way if red flags started to appear. We don’t have that problem today. If you Google “Katecferg” – which is my twitter name, blog and online dating screen name, All of those things pop up one right after the other. Even Perez Hilton pops up from when he “tweeted” me back in college. You can learn everything about me in .3 seconds.
Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker, “tweeted” (there’s that word again) yesterday, "Don’t go into deep details of your life on the first date." Keep it light and breezy, and later when you’re committed, you can chat about your dark past. I agree with the idea – go slow, but is this realistic for our time? Google is not just a website anymore; it’s a verb as well. Oh hey there, I “Googled” you. Technology has made our generation light years ahead of previous ones in so many ways, but when does it begin to hold us back as well? Is there really a “getting to know you” phase anymore? I read your online profile…and found your college essays online. What else do I need to know? There’s a disconnect somewhere, and perhaps it’s time for us to “disconnect” as well. Step away from the internet, trust our instincts and just go with it. A real life conversation will beat out a profile read through or an e-mail any day. And the getting to know you phase is the most exciting part.
We are able to discover the origins and complete biographies of any person with the click of a mouse. Cyber stalking is nothing new, and most people do it – some with romantic prospects, some with job prospects. We expect to find a person with a credible past attached to a link when we hit the enter key – oh and a picture would be nice as well. The second I search for a person with no trace, new questions run through my mind: Is he a serial killer? Is he a foreign spy? Is he 16? Am I a rational 21st century female doing my homework in order to protect my heart and my bank accounts, or have we taken the mystery out of dating?
My mom and I were chatting earlier today and she said to me, “The only thing I worry about in this age of technology is that people can hide parts of who they are.” Her point was about online dating and going out with people you have zero connections to, but her overall statement was actually incorrect. I explained that back in her younger years, dating was much more secretive. You had no way of knowing if the guy you met at the bar was escaping parole or wanted for murder. Instead, you just hoped that your gut instinct would send you running the other way if red flags started to appear. We don’t have that problem today. If you Google “Katecferg” – which is my twitter name, blog and online dating screen name, All of those things pop up one right after the other. Even Perez Hilton pops up from when he “tweeted” me back in college. You can learn everything about me in .3 seconds.
Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker, “tweeted” (there’s that word again) yesterday, "Don’t go into deep details of your life on the first date." Keep it light and breezy, and later when you’re committed, you can chat about your dark past. I agree with the idea – go slow, but is this realistic for our time? Google is not just a website anymore; it’s a verb as well. Oh hey there, I “Googled” you. Technology has made our generation light years ahead of previous ones in so many ways, but when does it begin to hold us back as well? Is there really a “getting to know you” phase anymore? I read your online profile…and found your college essays online. What else do I need to know? There’s a disconnect somewhere, and perhaps it’s time for us to “disconnect” as well. Step away from the internet, trust our instincts and just go with it. A real life conversation will beat out a profile read through or an e-mail any day. And the getting to know you phase is the most exciting part.
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Big First Date...
Remember when I said I was going to blog all about my “okcupid” blind dates? Well, I’m not going to do that anymore. My reason is simple: When I eventually become facebook friends with these potential men, they are going to see that I blog, and when they see that I blog about them, they may not come around anymore. Everyone has a right to privacy. Also, I don’t kiss and tell. So from now on, only the bad dates will be reported in full detail (those suitors don’t have a right to privacy)…and my date on Friday went extremely well.
We connected, we had fun and we are planning on going out again this Thursday night. Success! Why did I put off online dating for so long? This first date was definitely an exception to a rule. Usually, meeting complete strangers in person after virtually no conversation online ends in awkwardness and a pint of ice cream on the couch at 2 am. I’m sure many future dates I go on (a girl has to leave her options open, right?) will not work out quite as nicely as this one did, but I’m not as nervous anymore. As long as I’m smart, what’s the worst that can happen? – Famous last words?
People are dating online now more than ever before. I went to dinner the other night with my friend from home and her boyfriend. Her college friend, who lives in the city, joined us and said she had joined a new dating site for NYU, Columbia and other Ivy and semi-Ivy league students called “Date my school.” And of course, because things always work this way, there was an article in yesterday’s Sunday Times all about this new exclusive dating site. I am unable to join because my .edu address is not welcomed (Hey, T – want to give me yours?). But it just goes to show that there are tons of new dating sites opening up to give young professionals more than just a “meet your soul mate” option like match.com and e-harmony. Date my school is specifically for students and recent graduates looking for others who are just as exceptional and career-focused as they are (I guess they assume that if you go Ivy, you’re automatically career driven. They can work out the problematic issues with such a thought process later.) Fact is it works. Some of us just want to date and are new to the city or too busy with school and work to find the time. Dating sites like these help us find matches that we normally wouldn’t find walking the streets.
This is the future. Some of us may still meet “the one” in a bar or in the prepared food aisle of the grocery store (Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker, keeps telling me to go there to meet eligible men), but for many of us, it’s much more about structure and planning and much less about the right place, right time scenario. I know my mother will read this and be sad for our generation. We are unable to communicate; we are all going to end up alone; but we’re working on it! We’re trying to adjust to our technological lives and if online dating is the way to do so, then by all means, let’s try every option at our disposal. Just don’t go to dinner with a stranger unless you’re certain you’ll enjoy the company. Dinner takes you past the point of no return and could end up being the longest two hours of your life.
We connected, we had fun and we are planning on going out again this Thursday night. Success! Why did I put off online dating for so long? This first date was definitely an exception to a rule. Usually, meeting complete strangers in person after virtually no conversation online ends in awkwardness and a pint of ice cream on the couch at 2 am. I’m sure many future dates I go on (a girl has to leave her options open, right?) will not work out quite as nicely as this one did, but I’m not as nervous anymore. As long as I’m smart, what’s the worst that can happen? – Famous last words?
People are dating online now more than ever before. I went to dinner the other night with my friend from home and her boyfriend. Her college friend, who lives in the city, joined us and said she had joined a new dating site for NYU, Columbia and other Ivy and semi-Ivy league students called “Date my school.” And of course, because things always work this way, there was an article in yesterday’s Sunday Times all about this new exclusive dating site. I am unable to join because my .edu address is not welcomed (Hey, T – want to give me yours?). But it just goes to show that there are tons of new dating sites opening up to give young professionals more than just a “meet your soul mate” option like match.com and e-harmony. Date my school is specifically for students and recent graduates looking for others who are just as exceptional and career-focused as they are (I guess they assume that if you go Ivy, you’re automatically career driven. They can work out the problematic issues with such a thought process later.) Fact is it works. Some of us just want to date and are new to the city or too busy with school and work to find the time. Dating sites like these help us find matches that we normally wouldn’t find walking the streets.
This is the future. Some of us may still meet “the one” in a bar or in the prepared food aisle of the grocery store (Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker, keeps telling me to go there to meet eligible men), but for many of us, it’s much more about structure and planning and much less about the right place, right time scenario. I know my mother will read this and be sad for our generation. We are unable to communicate; we are all going to end up alone; but we’re working on it! We’re trying to adjust to our technological lives and if online dating is the way to do so, then by all means, let’s try every option at our disposal. Just don’t go to dinner with a stranger unless you’re certain you’ll enjoy the company. Dinner takes you past the point of no return and could end up being the longest two hours of your life.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Helping Others...Pass It On
Tonight I did something I’m very proud of. I attended my mandatory orientation for New York Cares, New York City’s largest volunteer organization. Since I’m new to the city and trying to meet new friends, I figured there was no better place to start than by joining like-minded individuals in bettering my new community. I love everything about this city, so why not help its people and its places. The orientation was quick and to the point. The team leaders highlighted all of the potential projects and talked about their personal experiences. I’m so excited to start reading to underprivileged children, feeding the hungry, talking to the elderly and planting trees in the parks.
I’ve had this urge to volunteer for quite sometime now. I think a small part of me just wants to get out of the apartment on weekends and meet new faces, but a larger part honestly knows how fortunate my life has been. I have a loving family that gave me the tools to succeed. I have great friends, a college degree, a job, and an apartment. I have food in my pantry, clothes in my closet, an i-pod sitting next to me, and I’m typing on a Mac laptop. I’ve never wanted for anything, really. Sure, I still can’t afford designer shoes, but there are people living on the streets that have no shoes at all, or coats, or a change of clothes or food to get them through the night. It’s heartbreaking. And I’ve seen a lot of it this winter.
The other day, the news reported a story about a 35-year old Irish homeless woman named Grace who died in her sleep while sleeping on the streets. She had come to NYC 18 years before to study art. She never succeeded and four days ago, she was found dead. Stories like these break my heart. This, along with so many other tragic events, has pushed me to do all I can do for this community. No one should ever have to sleep on cardboard in a church alcove. Children should know how to read and write and all should be able to attend college if they wish to do so. If I am able to help one life, one child, one homeless man, one grandma in a walker, and make their day a little brighter, that is all the reward that I will need. Join me in the volunteer effort! We can change the world - It just takes a little work.
Spotted: Your humble blogger at Macy’s buying a new shirt to wear on my first “Okcupid” date tomorrow night. Wish me luck! (Hopefully I don’t really need it ☺)
I’ve had this urge to volunteer for quite sometime now. I think a small part of me just wants to get out of the apartment on weekends and meet new faces, but a larger part honestly knows how fortunate my life has been. I have a loving family that gave me the tools to succeed. I have great friends, a college degree, a job, and an apartment. I have food in my pantry, clothes in my closet, an i-pod sitting next to me, and I’m typing on a Mac laptop. I’ve never wanted for anything, really. Sure, I still can’t afford designer shoes, but there are people living on the streets that have no shoes at all, or coats, or a change of clothes or food to get them through the night. It’s heartbreaking. And I’ve seen a lot of it this winter.
The other day, the news reported a story about a 35-year old Irish homeless woman named Grace who died in her sleep while sleeping on the streets. She had come to NYC 18 years before to study art. She never succeeded and four days ago, she was found dead. Stories like these break my heart. This, along with so many other tragic events, has pushed me to do all I can do for this community. No one should ever have to sleep on cardboard in a church alcove. Children should know how to read and write and all should be able to attend college if they wish to do so. If I am able to help one life, one child, one homeless man, one grandma in a walker, and make their day a little brighter, that is all the reward that I will need. Join me in the volunteer effort! We can change the world - It just takes a little work.
Spotted: Your humble blogger at Macy’s buying a new shirt to wear on my first “Okcupid” date tomorrow night. Wish me luck! (Hopefully I don’t really need it ☺)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Discovering I’m not perfect…
The title of this post may make me sound a tad pretentious, but I by no means have ever thought of myself as perfect. No one can name my flaws quicker than I can. But when it comes to my work ethic and drive, I do take pride in the fact that I’m a perfectionist. Every detail of my life needs to be exact. In college, I would read over papers five, ten, sometimes fifteen times to make sure one spelling or grammar error could not be found, and I would only answer questions I was certain of the answers to (these could also be symptoms of my OCD, but that’s for another post). My writing classes, and my non-existent writing career (at least for now☺) have been full of bumps along the way because I write stories that I take great pride in only to have my professors (and editors) tell me a plot point doesn’t make sense or a character is unnecessary – a character that I have created and feel a connection to is cut from the page as fast as that evil red pen can swipe it. Receiving negative criticism has been a challenge for me for several years.
I’m discovering in the working world that I have quite a bit to learn, and my pride has to sometimes be pushed aside in order for “constructive” criticism to enter– I haven’t been fired yet, so I consider it constructive. Yesterday was one of those days – a Monday no less. I was responsible for four major documents and all had to be completed by 5pm. Once all four were sent off, four separate emails returned with corrections and things to keep in mind for the next time. I even got an email from my boss at 12:09 this morning that gave additional critiques on my excel spreadsheets. The perfectionist part of me was slightly mortified. I couldn’t hand in one document that was returned with a “great, thanks!” response? That’s not like me at all. I could come up with a thousand excuses – “I was rushed.” “I put them in this order because…” But at the end of the day… and again this morning, I swallowed my pride and responded with the only appropriate words I could think of – “Thank you for the help. I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
My brother has informed me in the past that one of my biggest personality flaws is that I can’t be wrong…and as much as I hate to admit it, he’s right! I once forced M to try my margarita because I was certain that it was impossible for a human being not to love margaritas – even after she tried to tell me she couldn’t stand tequila. She took one sip and almost spit it back out. I was in shock. I couldn’t taste the liquor, but she could. I guess I was wrong. As an intern and future full-time employee, I refuse to allow this stubbornness to get in the way of me prospering in the work force. Every day that I spend at my company is another day I learn more and more about the work I am doing. My boss likes things done a certain way, and I will do it with my tail between my legs if I have to. I’m sure my next boss will want things done entirely differently, and I will rise to the occasion and relearn everything I have taught myself these last six months. The important thing is that I don’t cry myself to sleep at night because I was told I inputted company names incorrectly. My boss wants to help me – I can see that when we talk about my work – and she knows the only way to help is to tell me everything I do wrong. My job is to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. If I can do that, maybe I will walk away from this job a stronger employee and more prepared for the outside world. I’m not perfect – no one walking this Earth is, and sometimes you need a friendly reminder of that from time to time. It’s too stressful trying to be perfect anyway - I’d rather be flawed.
I’m discovering in the working world that I have quite a bit to learn, and my pride has to sometimes be pushed aside in order for “constructive” criticism to enter– I haven’t been fired yet, so I consider it constructive. Yesterday was one of those days – a Monday no less. I was responsible for four major documents and all had to be completed by 5pm. Once all four were sent off, four separate emails returned with corrections and things to keep in mind for the next time. I even got an email from my boss at 12:09 this morning that gave additional critiques on my excel spreadsheets. The perfectionist part of me was slightly mortified. I couldn’t hand in one document that was returned with a “great, thanks!” response? That’s not like me at all. I could come up with a thousand excuses – “I was rushed.” “I put them in this order because…” But at the end of the day… and again this morning, I swallowed my pride and responded with the only appropriate words I could think of – “Thank you for the help. I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
My brother has informed me in the past that one of my biggest personality flaws is that I can’t be wrong…and as much as I hate to admit it, he’s right! I once forced M to try my margarita because I was certain that it was impossible for a human being not to love margaritas – even after she tried to tell me she couldn’t stand tequila. She took one sip and almost spit it back out. I was in shock. I couldn’t taste the liquor, but she could. I guess I was wrong. As an intern and future full-time employee, I refuse to allow this stubbornness to get in the way of me prospering in the work force. Every day that I spend at my company is another day I learn more and more about the work I am doing. My boss likes things done a certain way, and I will do it with my tail between my legs if I have to. I’m sure my next boss will want things done entirely differently, and I will rise to the occasion and relearn everything I have taught myself these last six months. The important thing is that I don’t cry myself to sleep at night because I was told I inputted company names incorrectly. My boss wants to help me – I can see that when we talk about my work – and she knows the only way to help is to tell me everything I do wrong. My job is to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. If I can do that, maybe I will walk away from this job a stronger employee and more prepared for the outside world. I’m not perfect – no one walking this Earth is, and sometimes you need a friendly reminder of that from time to time. It’s too stressful trying to be perfect anyway - I’d rather be flawed.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Online Dating in the City: The Beginning
Okay I’ve done it. Yes…it. After many (many!) recommendations from friends and acquaintances...and a few strangers, I have joined the world of online dating. I’m telling myself it is just a blogging experiment, but to tell you the truth, I’m already slightly addicted. A friend told me to give “OkCupid.com” a try, and after much deliberating and Google searching, I decided to put myself out there. I have no planned dates yet, but I have had a few conversations and have had a couple of people message me with interest. I am enjoying this site mainly because it seems like one of the few free sites that asks you tons of questions (I’ve answered over 80) in order to help match you with a compatible partner (I know the sites you have to pay for do this as well, but do other free sites spend this much time helping you find a match?). There are also a lot of young, attractive men browsing on this site. I used to think online dating was only for old people who couldn’t find husbands or wives. I’m now learning the error of my ways as I see that a lot of the people posting are city dwellers like myself looking for someone to enjoy a fun date with. Some even show no qualms about their search for a “casual hookup.” That’s not my style, but to each his own.
I’m going to try to have as much fun with this as possible. Earlier tonight, I quickly got over my fear of online rejection – when someone you message does not message you back – and started to message people. I decided since I was rejecting potential matches left and right, people had the right to reject me. If you can dish it, you can take it, right? I promise if I do win a date with a match, this blog will be the first to hear about it. It will be a new section of my blog where I can tell you about the pending hilarity that will surely ensue when I travel to different parts of Manhattan to meet men I have never met in real life. I promise, I will be safe and a mass text will be sent to all of my 'in case of emergencies' of the location of the date.
I’ve had a few friends venture into this cyber world of relationship mingling and they have had mixed but mostly positive results. So far, no marriages have been solidified (but who wants that anyway!), but friendships, new restaurants and free drinks have been scored. As I was signing up for this site, no less than three commercials aired on TV for Match.com. I was typing and then a voice stated, “Today, 1 in 5 relationships begin online.” – I feel like that, along with other tell tale hints (Thanks T), was a sign from a higher power that this is a risk I should take to help my romantic life flourish. When you think about the choices I have in front of me, there really is no dilemma: Sit on the couch Friday night or spend some quality time with a charming new friend? I’ll go with the latter.
I’m going to try to have as much fun with this as possible. Earlier tonight, I quickly got over my fear of online rejection – when someone you message does not message you back – and started to message people. I decided since I was rejecting potential matches left and right, people had the right to reject me. If you can dish it, you can take it, right? I promise if I do win a date with a match, this blog will be the first to hear about it. It will be a new section of my blog where I can tell you about the pending hilarity that will surely ensue when I travel to different parts of Manhattan to meet men I have never met in real life. I promise, I will be safe and a mass text will be sent to all of my 'in case of emergencies' of the location of the date.
I’ve had a few friends venture into this cyber world of relationship mingling and they have had mixed but mostly positive results. So far, no marriages have been solidified (but who wants that anyway!), but friendships, new restaurants and free drinks have been scored. As I was signing up for this site, no less than three commercials aired on TV for Match.com. I was typing and then a voice stated, “Today, 1 in 5 relationships begin online.” – I feel like that, along with other tell tale hints (Thanks T), was a sign from a higher power that this is a risk I should take to help my romantic life flourish. When you think about the choices I have in front of me, there really is no dilemma: Sit on the couch Friday night or spend some quality time with a charming new friend? I’ll go with the latter.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
“Still single…Chances are you’re a woman."
I tweeted about this ‘just in time for Valentine’s Day’ article I read in Sunday’s NY Times the other night and it is still haunting me three days later. The article states that there are approximately 131,548 more unmarried and divorced women in greater New York than men. I read that number and it has been seared into my brain ever since. It’s all I can think about! If I wasn’t in my early twenties, I would find this number downright tragic. How the hell do women stand a chance dating in this city?! Sarah Jessica Parker made it look easy compared to what we’re really up against. Maybe texting, tweeting and facebook have damned us all to a long life of solitude. Besides the extreme unbalance in numbers, we live in a city that harbors some of the most beautiful people in the world. There are tons of women who are better looking and more successful and talented than little old me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite happy with myself. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be honest and say that the girl leaving my apartment ahead of me this morning in her sky high stilettos and wavy black hair was breathtakingly beautiful – facts are facts. And she’s getting the cute subway guy today, not me.
I read another article last week in the Village Voice (I know, I really must stop reading) that went along similar lines but was focused on telling the single women of New York, “It’s not them, it’s you.” The men of Manhattan are not the problem, it’s us ladies. This article also flashed that large, ominous number and conceded that finding a match in this large city where anything can be yours at any hour and the next best thing is right around the corner can be difficult. The problem lies in the fact that many men and women in New York are career-focused and not much more. I find that my own young career ambitions take the foremost thoughts in my mind and in my plans (but like the chicken and the egg, I’m not sure if I’m career focused because I’m single, or single because I’m career focused). Like I said in yesterday’s post, I was pleased to be in a hotel room (alone) in Connecticut on Valentine’s Day because my career was given a large boost just that afternoon. So, I get it. We’re ambitious, selfish and way too picky – all things that do not bode well in starting new relationships. We know what we want, and we will not settle for anything less. While these are good traits to have, it’s also important to be realistic. Prince Charming is an ideal that should have left our heads when we turned thirteen – a rite of passage like hitting puberty. Instead we make the mistake of watching one too many romantic comedies and believing that all things are just like the movies. Like previously stated, “Sarah Jessica Parker made it look easy.”
The article in the Times ended with a mixed message of hope and gloom. The author states, “So to all the single ladies: There’s a whole world of men out there waiting to put a ring on it. They’re just not in New York (yet).” The good news is I’m nowhere near ready for someone to put a ring on it. But I don’t feel like spending the next ten years of my life fighting against the masses for Mr. Right. I’ve read that California (and the west coast in general) has the highest single men to single women ratios. Perhaps I’ll have to venture out west when I convince myself that this wonderful, never let me down relationship I have with this beautiful city will be the closest I will come to happily ever after in Manhattan. Eh, things could always be worse, right? – I could be forced to live in central Connecticut.
I read another article last week in the Village Voice (I know, I really must stop reading) that went along similar lines but was focused on telling the single women of New York, “It’s not them, it’s you.” The men of Manhattan are not the problem, it’s us ladies. This article also flashed that large, ominous number and conceded that finding a match in this large city where anything can be yours at any hour and the next best thing is right around the corner can be difficult. The problem lies in the fact that many men and women in New York are career-focused and not much more. I find that my own young career ambitions take the foremost thoughts in my mind and in my plans (but like the chicken and the egg, I’m not sure if I’m career focused because I’m single, or single because I’m career focused). Like I said in yesterday’s post, I was pleased to be in a hotel room (alone) in Connecticut on Valentine’s Day because my career was given a large boost just that afternoon. So, I get it. We’re ambitious, selfish and way too picky – all things that do not bode well in starting new relationships. We know what we want, and we will not settle for anything less. While these are good traits to have, it’s also important to be realistic. Prince Charming is an ideal that should have left our heads when we turned thirteen – a rite of passage like hitting puberty. Instead we make the mistake of watching one too many romantic comedies and believing that all things are just like the movies. Like previously stated, “Sarah Jessica Parker made it look easy.”
The article in the Times ended with a mixed message of hope and gloom. The author states, “So to all the single ladies: There’s a whole world of men out there waiting to put a ring on it. They’re just not in New York (yet).” The good news is I’m nowhere near ready for someone to put a ring on it. But I don’t feel like spending the next ten years of my life fighting against the masses for Mr. Right. I’ve read that California (and the west coast in general) has the highest single men to single women ratios. Perhaps I’ll have to venture out west when I convince myself that this wonderful, never let me down relationship I have with this beautiful city will be the closest I will come to happily ever after in Manhattan. Eh, things could always be worse, right? – I could be forced to live in central Connecticut.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Gaga, Love and Connecticut
Hello my lovely readers! This last week has been another crazy, action packed 7 days. The Grammy Awards, Single’s Awareness Day and my 2nd big business trip have all come and gone. And of course, here I am to tell you all about my week and to give my opinions on the happenings in Hollywood...
I thoroughly enjoyed the Grammys. The red carpet is always a highlight for me and Jennifer Hudson (Weight Watchers must be making a fortune off of her!), Lea Michele (I love how she is so much sexier than her alter ego Rachel Berry in reality) and Selena Gomez were the Best Dressed of the night in my humble opinion. Ciara and Dianna Agron were the two I'd place on the Worst Dressed List - one left too little to the imagination and the other was too dark and dreary for the Grammys. The show was a great spectacle of wonderful entertainment and deserving winners. Best New Artist and Album of Year left me with the “who the 'f' are you” feeling that everyone else on Twitter seemed to be feeling. Or as my brother's text read when the Grammy Awards had ended with Arcade Fire's win, "This must be a joke." The music lover that I am is happy however, because now I get to fill up my itunes library with new and interesting music. My favorite performances of the night go to Katy Perry (“Not Like the Movies” is my favorite song on her Teenage Dream album), Rihanna and Eminem, Rihanna and Drake (Not a bad night for RiRi), and Mumford and Sons (They may be my new favorite band). While I do love Lady Gaga’s new song, her performance under-whelmed me. Perhaps because she went first, but I was glad she won Best Pop Vocal Album. On an end note, if I hear “It’s a quarter after one” one more time, I may punch someone. Nice job Lady Antebellum, but make new music.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day - a truly perplexing "holiday" if I'm being honest. I spent the day I would prefer to call February 14th in a hotel room in Hartford, CT reading the Sunday NY Times and watching Gossip Girl. I hope that doesn't sound too depressing because it wasn’t for me! Even though I am single, I do not need one day to show love to the ones I care about. I try to do that 365 days a year. Cynical and depressed I am not on Valentine’s Day – I’d say I’m indifferent to it. Maybe next year if I’m in a relationship, I’ll be happy to go out to dinner and receive a yummy box of chocolates, but I would rather have that and flowers on a random day in a random month when the one I care about feels like doing so – It shouldn’t be an obligation. That said, any day that celebrates love is a good one, but let’s try to spread love everyday. Too much love never hurt anyone.
I experienced my second business trip of my big girl career over the last two days and it was another great experience. My boss gave me my positive review on Monday and we then discussed me moving full time once my co-worker goes out on maternity leave. I'm so thrilled! I will learn so much more working 40 hours a week and the increase in money to help pay for rent is not too shabby either. I really love business trips. There is something fun about traveling on a comfy Amtrak train, eating yummy room service food and jumping on a hotel bed (you’ll never know if that actually happened)...all for free! It was oddly relaxing and our office in Hartford is a beautiful building where the CEO and boss of my boss works – It’s professional and an inspiring place to visit. Too bad Hartford is in the middle of nowhere and a little frightening. If only there was a magic man who could transport that building and all of the wonderful people in it to New York City.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Grammys. The red carpet is always a highlight for me and Jennifer Hudson (Weight Watchers must be making a fortune off of her!), Lea Michele (I love how she is so much sexier than her alter ego Rachel Berry in reality) and Selena Gomez were the Best Dressed of the night in my humble opinion. Ciara and Dianna Agron were the two I'd place on the Worst Dressed List - one left too little to the imagination and the other was too dark and dreary for the Grammys. The show was a great spectacle of wonderful entertainment and deserving winners. Best New Artist and Album of Year left me with the “who the 'f' are you” feeling that everyone else on Twitter seemed to be feeling. Or as my brother's text read when the Grammy Awards had ended with Arcade Fire's win, "This must be a joke." The music lover that I am is happy however, because now I get to fill up my itunes library with new and interesting music. My favorite performances of the night go to Katy Perry (“Not Like the Movies” is my favorite song on her Teenage Dream album), Rihanna and Eminem, Rihanna and Drake (Not a bad night for RiRi), and Mumford and Sons (They may be my new favorite band). While I do love Lady Gaga’s new song, her performance under-whelmed me. Perhaps because she went first, but I was glad she won Best Pop Vocal Album. On an end note, if I hear “It’s a quarter after one” one more time, I may punch someone. Nice job Lady Antebellum, but make new music.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day - a truly perplexing "holiday" if I'm being honest. I spent the day I would prefer to call February 14th in a hotel room in Hartford, CT reading the Sunday NY Times and watching Gossip Girl. I hope that doesn't sound too depressing because it wasn’t for me! Even though I am single, I do not need one day to show love to the ones I care about. I try to do that 365 days a year. Cynical and depressed I am not on Valentine’s Day – I’d say I’m indifferent to it. Maybe next year if I’m in a relationship, I’ll be happy to go out to dinner and receive a yummy box of chocolates, but I would rather have that and flowers on a random day in a random month when the one I care about feels like doing so – It shouldn’t be an obligation. That said, any day that celebrates love is a good one, but let’s try to spread love everyday. Too much love never hurt anyone.
I experienced my second business trip of my big girl career over the last two days and it was another great experience. My boss gave me my positive review on Monday and we then discussed me moving full time once my co-worker goes out on maternity leave. I'm so thrilled! I will learn so much more working 40 hours a week and the increase in money to help pay for rent is not too shabby either. I really love business trips. There is something fun about traveling on a comfy Amtrak train, eating yummy room service food and jumping on a hotel bed (you’ll never know if that actually happened)...all for free! It was oddly relaxing and our office in Hartford is a beautiful building where the CEO and boss of my boss works – It’s professional and an inspiring place to visit. Too bad Hartford is in the middle of nowhere and a little frightening. If only there was a magic man who could transport that building and all of the wonderful people in it to New York City.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Interning 101 - Timeliness is Close to Godliness?
Remember those career Gods I was going to begin praying to at the end of yesterday’s post…I don’t think they’re listening. To any interns or new employees out there reading, I want to give a few examples on my blog of the things not to do while in any entry level position. This will work out wonderfully for you. I will write about all of the things I’ve done wrong in the work force, and you will go out of your way not to repeat them. Lose/Win ☺ I will title these posts “Interning 101.” Believe me, I’m learning a lot!
Today’s post is dedicated to time management. I am probably the most on time person I know. You tell me 4 o’clock, I’m there at 3:50. It’s just who I am. I rarely had trouble getting to class or an exam at college, but like all of humankind, I am not perfect. And I have had my slips – I once slept through the last class before an exam where we had to turn in our final essays. I made it just as class was dismissed and the Professor thankfully took my paper. This morning was another slip. I was up at 6:15, way before my alarm goes off, to feed my roommate’s cat. The little bugger had been whining since five. I fell back to sleep and my alarm went off at my normal wakeup times of 6:50 and again at 7:10. Both times I silenced it because of the simple fact that I thought I was awake…just closing my eyes for a few short minutes. Fast forward – I woke up groggily to the sun filling my room. My phone was buried under mountains of blankets so I quickly jumped up and turned on my computer to look at the time. It must be my ancient ancestors in my blood, but the sun told me it was not 7:30am. My computer read 9:08 as did my phone that I finally found. I had slept in!
This happens to everyone from time to time. I did not have an important meeting early this morning or something that needed my attention by 9:30, and I made record time and made it to the office by 9:40 – yes I did look like a walking zombie all day. I’m lucky I put on the same color shoes. What frustrated me even more so was the fact that I had been late yesterday, however I had made my boss aware of my situation. I was returning from Jersey and had left my access card on my dresser in NYC. Not only did Dad and I have to make the two hour drive into the city, but we had to get way uptown once we were here and then head back downtown to our offices (Dad was not so pleased with me). Oh and Dad decided to recall his forgotten jacket at home twenty minutes into our ride so we had to turn around. I made it into the office by 10:15. I then told one of my superiors late last night that I would be here bright and early this morning since I didn’t have to do that horrible NJ commute anymore…Oops!
Suffice to say it’s been a bad week. I’m very fortunate to be in a company that gives some flexibility, and I always stay till six if I’m late such as mornings like today to make sure I put in all of my time. Tardiness is not something that I take lightly and I am very hard on myself when moments like these arise. But crying on the subway is not going to get me to work any earlier. I’m happy that I woke up at nine and not ten, and I will make sure tomorrow to wake up when my alarm goes off. So my advice is this: Try not to fret – it won’t help matters; Get plenty of sleep so the alarm is not your worst nightmare in the morning; and try with all of your might to get to work on time. It reflects poorly on you and I always feel better when I’m at work before my bosses are in. It’s my “me” time when I can grab some tea and catch up on the news of the day. Instead, this morning I had no breakfast and started working the moment I turned on my computer…with my un-brushed hair getting in the way.
Today’s post is dedicated to time management. I am probably the most on time person I know. You tell me 4 o’clock, I’m there at 3:50. It’s just who I am. I rarely had trouble getting to class or an exam at college, but like all of humankind, I am not perfect. And I have had my slips – I once slept through the last class before an exam where we had to turn in our final essays. I made it just as class was dismissed and the Professor thankfully took my paper. This morning was another slip. I was up at 6:15, way before my alarm goes off, to feed my roommate’s cat. The little bugger had been whining since five. I fell back to sleep and my alarm went off at my normal wakeup times of 6:50 and again at 7:10. Both times I silenced it because of the simple fact that I thought I was awake…just closing my eyes for a few short minutes. Fast forward – I woke up groggily to the sun filling my room. My phone was buried under mountains of blankets so I quickly jumped up and turned on my computer to look at the time. It must be my ancient ancestors in my blood, but the sun told me it was not 7:30am. My computer read 9:08 as did my phone that I finally found. I had slept in!
This happens to everyone from time to time. I did not have an important meeting early this morning or something that needed my attention by 9:30, and I made record time and made it to the office by 9:40 – yes I did look like a walking zombie all day. I’m lucky I put on the same color shoes. What frustrated me even more so was the fact that I had been late yesterday, however I had made my boss aware of my situation. I was returning from Jersey and had left my access card on my dresser in NYC. Not only did Dad and I have to make the two hour drive into the city, but we had to get way uptown once we were here and then head back downtown to our offices (Dad was not so pleased with me). Oh and Dad decided to recall his forgotten jacket at home twenty minutes into our ride so we had to turn around. I made it into the office by 10:15. I then told one of my superiors late last night that I would be here bright and early this morning since I didn’t have to do that horrible NJ commute anymore…Oops!
Suffice to say it’s been a bad week. I’m very fortunate to be in a company that gives some flexibility, and I always stay till six if I’m late such as mornings like today to make sure I put in all of my time. Tardiness is not something that I take lightly and I am very hard on myself when moments like these arise. But crying on the subway is not going to get me to work any earlier. I’m happy that I woke up at nine and not ten, and I will make sure tomorrow to wake up when my alarm goes off. So my advice is this: Try not to fret – it won’t help matters; Get plenty of sleep so the alarm is not your worst nightmare in the morning; and try with all of your might to get to work on time. It reflects poorly on you and I always feel better when I’m at work before my bosses are in. It’s my “me” time when I can grab some tea and catch up on the news of the day. Instead, this morning I had no breakfast and started working the moment I turned on my computer…with my un-brushed hair getting in the way.
Monday, February 7, 2011
5 Months and Counting...
Today is my fifth month anniversary at my internship! Where has the time gone? Fall was a complete blur. I can’t recall if I actually did anything all autumn long. I consider five months at an internship a huge accomplishment. I have learned so much in such a not-so-short period of time and I feel thoroughly prepared to take on a full time position now. I plan to find out next week if my internship will move full-time, so sending happy thoughts my way would be much appreciated!
It makes me smile when I think about how I’m never quite satisfied. I went to high school and dreamt of college; I went to college and dreamt of New York; I moved to New York and my dreams have turned from Intern to Editor-in-Chief. While it’s important to live in the present (and I don’t do this enough!), I don’t think my quest for perfection is a poor quality per se – I always strive to be better. What’s the harm in that? My internship has me working part time, and while the time off is great, I want full-time. I have two days off a week that are just for me. I can do whatever I would like, and during those two week days I usually do three things: Catch up on my Netflix/TV shows from the past week, workout for a solid hour and search online for full-time jobs that will prevent me from doing the previous two things stated.
Most people hope to obtain a full-time job once they graduate college. People who rent apartments on the Upper West Side and have cable bills to pay hope to land a full-time position even more so. The reason I find my frustrations amusing is because I have a feeling in the next month or two, I’m going to have this all figured out. I will be working forty hours a week and comfortably residing in this beautiful city one way or another. I may even be able to attend more shows or go out to dinner more often. I should be enjoying these two extra days off right now because soon these free days will be gone forever. Eventually I’m going to have to commute on the subways on a Friday and wake up early again on Monday just like the rest of the world.
Instead of pouting on Thursday mornings when I wake up at 10am and watch Gossip Girl for several hours, I’m going to start putting my free time to good use. I have made up my mind to take my GRE exams this year. I have been away from school for too long and waiting any longer will only make it more difficult to study for an exam. So this Thursday, I’m going to find a little coffee shop near Columbia, take a seat next to a charming grad student (and maybe we’ll even start up a lovely conversation☺) and begin educating myself on math problems I haven’t dealt with since early in my college career – and that was a liberal arts math class where the professor wrote the first equation of the quarter on the board during week five and told us not to panic (Hmm, maybe that grad student can become my tutor instead?) My job search will continue, but I have faith in this great company I am interning for. They like me, I like them and I understand the job. The odds are in my favor, but just in case, I’ll also use my free time praying to the career Gods in hopes that they will help this job work out.
It makes me smile when I think about how I’m never quite satisfied. I went to high school and dreamt of college; I went to college and dreamt of New York; I moved to New York and my dreams have turned from Intern to Editor-in-Chief. While it’s important to live in the present (and I don’t do this enough!), I don’t think my quest for perfection is a poor quality per se – I always strive to be better. What’s the harm in that? My internship has me working part time, and while the time off is great, I want full-time. I have two days off a week that are just for me. I can do whatever I would like, and during those two week days I usually do three things: Catch up on my Netflix/TV shows from the past week, workout for a solid hour and search online for full-time jobs that will prevent me from doing the previous two things stated.
Most people hope to obtain a full-time job once they graduate college. People who rent apartments on the Upper West Side and have cable bills to pay hope to land a full-time position even more so. The reason I find my frustrations amusing is because I have a feeling in the next month or two, I’m going to have this all figured out. I will be working forty hours a week and comfortably residing in this beautiful city one way or another. I may even be able to attend more shows or go out to dinner more often. I should be enjoying these two extra days off right now because soon these free days will be gone forever. Eventually I’m going to have to commute on the subways on a Friday and wake up early again on Monday just like the rest of the world.
Instead of pouting on Thursday mornings when I wake up at 10am and watch Gossip Girl for several hours, I’m going to start putting my free time to good use. I have made up my mind to take my GRE exams this year. I have been away from school for too long and waiting any longer will only make it more difficult to study for an exam. So this Thursday, I’m going to find a little coffee shop near Columbia, take a seat next to a charming grad student (and maybe we’ll even start up a lovely conversation☺) and begin educating myself on math problems I haven’t dealt with since early in my college career – and that was a liberal arts math class where the professor wrote the first equation of the quarter on the board during week five and told us not to panic (Hmm, maybe that grad student can become my tutor instead?) My job search will continue, but I have faith in this great company I am interning for. They like me, I like them and I understand the job. The odds are in my favor, but just in case, I’ll also use my free time praying to the career Gods in hopes that they will help this job work out.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How I Wish I Could Hibernate…
After a whirlwind weekend and a crazy Monday at work, I’m finally chatting with my lovely readers again. I firmly believe that exposure is what is going to get me noticed in the writing world, so I sent my last blog post to a fellow “tweeter” on twitter – @BroadwayGirlNYC who has almost 8,000 followers and a weekly column on Broadwayworld.com. I genuinely wanted her to read about my own Broadway moment last Wednesday night. In regards to my post, she wrote back “This is beautiful!” I was thrilled that someone who I respect so much as a writer and fellow theatre attendee would have such wonderful things to say about my own writing. I saw tonight that @LaCageBroadway, the show's twitter feed, also read my post and sent me a kind message. One more giant step towards a full time writing career!
I’ve decided to dedicate this particular post to my recent “obsessions.” January is the slowest month of the year (thank God it’s over!) and February has the tendency to drag as well – not to mention there is a certain “couples” holiday that makes all us singles in the world feel, hmm…what are the words I’m looking for, depressed? Less worthy? Alienated from all restaurants, movie theaters and flower shops? Luckily for me, I’ll be spending v-day in a hotel in Hartford, Connecticut by myself on a business trip…with a pint of ice cream. Doesn’t that sound like a fun night? In order to get my mind off of the snow, ice, frigid temps and my singleton lifestyle, I have found ways to occupy my time lately with the following…
-All things Natalie Portman. I have seen Black Swan and No Strings Attached, and Natalie is one of the few actors who has what it takes to be considered one of the greats someday. She is not the typical Hollywood starlet and I LOVE that about her. She enjoys her privacy, graduated from Harvard, wears only vegan clothing and chooses movie roles based on how strong the female characters are. I’ve admired this woman since she starred in Star Wars and V for Vendetta, and now I can’t wait to watch her career blow up. Even her romantic comedy with Ashton Kutcher is getting killer reviews simply because it’s not your typical rom-com…this one has substance. I can’t wait to see this lovely, brainy starlet win her first Oscar. And I have a feeling that baby she’s going to pop out in a few months is going to be one good looking kid.
-Ivanka Trump’s book “The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life.” Career books are my guilty pleasure (some people read romance novels, I read books on advancing in the corporate world), and this is my favorite one yet (although Kelly Cutrone’s book that I referenced in a post I wrote eons ago was pretty great too). I really admire Ivanka simply because she could have turned into Paris Hilton and didn’t. She is a smart and savvy business woman who also happens to be beautiful and a Trump. I haven’t finished the book yet, but she gives some really great insight on how to succeed. Like her father, she hasn’t used her name as an excuse to party, have lots of sex, and use cocaine from time to time, but rather as a tool to further her own career. And according to Ivanka, we all have a tool at our disposal as well. Discovering it is half the battle. She has created shoe and jewelry lines and is VP of real estate development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization…all at 29! I love reading about strong, powerful women and encourage all my women readers to do the same. And one day, I hope we all can be as successful as this inspiring woman.
-My new gym. I can’t get enough of my new gym membership. I still have yet to try many of the classes, but I am so grateful that I’m able to get home from work, change into workout clothes, walk the 11 blocks to my gym (as my warm up), complete a thorough workout and walk back home…all in time for Modern Family. I have been trying to get there 4 times a week, but with the way this winter’s been going, I may step it up to five/six. What better way to warm up from the zero degree weather than to go run out all of your stress. The treadmill is not my favorite way to run (my shins don’t enjoy it much either), but it’s ten times better than running in the snow and slipping on ice. And once I’m there, stepping it up from 30 minutes to one hour seems like no big deal. Who really wants to go back out into the arctic anyway? Even though I am paying an arm, a leg and a few fingers for my membership, it has been totally worth it to shake away those winter blues.
I’ve decided to dedicate this particular post to my recent “obsessions.” January is the slowest month of the year (thank God it’s over!) and February has the tendency to drag as well – not to mention there is a certain “couples” holiday that makes all us singles in the world feel, hmm…what are the words I’m looking for, depressed? Less worthy? Alienated from all restaurants, movie theaters and flower shops? Luckily for me, I’ll be spending v-day in a hotel in Hartford, Connecticut by myself on a business trip…with a pint of ice cream. Doesn’t that sound like a fun night? In order to get my mind off of the snow, ice, frigid temps and my singleton lifestyle, I have found ways to occupy my time lately with the following…
-All things Natalie Portman. I have seen Black Swan and No Strings Attached, and Natalie is one of the few actors who has what it takes to be considered one of the greats someday. She is not the typical Hollywood starlet and I LOVE that about her. She enjoys her privacy, graduated from Harvard, wears only vegan clothing and chooses movie roles based on how strong the female characters are. I’ve admired this woman since she starred in Star Wars and V for Vendetta, and now I can’t wait to watch her career blow up. Even her romantic comedy with Ashton Kutcher is getting killer reviews simply because it’s not your typical rom-com…this one has substance. I can’t wait to see this lovely, brainy starlet win her first Oscar. And I have a feeling that baby she’s going to pop out in a few months is going to be one good looking kid.
-Ivanka Trump’s book “The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life.” Career books are my guilty pleasure (some people read romance novels, I read books on advancing in the corporate world), and this is my favorite one yet (although Kelly Cutrone’s book that I referenced in a post I wrote eons ago was pretty great too). I really admire Ivanka simply because she could have turned into Paris Hilton and didn’t. She is a smart and savvy business woman who also happens to be beautiful and a Trump. I haven’t finished the book yet, but she gives some really great insight on how to succeed. Like her father, she hasn’t used her name as an excuse to party, have lots of sex, and use cocaine from time to time, but rather as a tool to further her own career. And according to Ivanka, we all have a tool at our disposal as well. Discovering it is half the battle. She has created shoe and jewelry lines and is VP of real estate development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization…all at 29! I love reading about strong, powerful women and encourage all my women readers to do the same. And one day, I hope we all can be as successful as this inspiring woman.
-My new gym. I can’t get enough of my new gym membership. I still have yet to try many of the classes, but I am so grateful that I’m able to get home from work, change into workout clothes, walk the 11 blocks to my gym (as my warm up), complete a thorough workout and walk back home…all in time for Modern Family. I have been trying to get there 4 times a week, but with the way this winter’s been going, I may step it up to five/six. What better way to warm up from the zero degree weather than to go run out all of your stress. The treadmill is not my favorite way to run (my shins don’t enjoy it much either), but it’s ten times better than running in the snow and slipping on ice. And once I’m there, stepping it up from 30 minutes to one hour seems like no big deal. Who really wants to go back out into the arctic anyway? Even though I am paying an arm, a leg and a few fingers for my membership, it has been totally worth it to shake away those winter blues.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My Magical Winter Night On Broadway
“Life’s not worth a damn till you can say I am what I am.” – That’s the message I took away from last night’s performance of the Tony Award winning show for Best Revival, La Cage Aux Folles. And what a beautiful message it is. I took myself on a little impromptu date last night, and what better way to treat myself then to go to the place I love most: The Theatre: The acting, the dancing, the singing, the set designs, the stars, the glamour. All of it transports me back to the days when men in top hats and women in gowns would walk along Broadway and treat it like the night on the town it’s meant to be.
La Cage Aux Folles was a show I had to see before it was too late. The two main leads, Kelsey Grammar (Frasier, Cheers) and Douglas Hodge (Tony Award winner for his role as Albin in La Cage) are both leaving the show on February 13th, and I have heard so many wonderful things about both of their performances. I took the subway uptown to the TKTS booth where for the first time in my life, there was no line. Zero. I walked right up to the man behind the glass panel and asked for the cheapest ticket to La Cage. “Seventy-six dollars” was the man’s response. I asked if that was the cheapest they had and he answered politely enough that those were the only tickets left. I deliberated for a minute, but I had to put my credit card back in my wallet. While I understand that seventy-six dollars is a steal for Broadway, especially a show as wonderful as this, I only planned on spending between forty and fifty and couldn’t go higher.
I walked away from the booth disappointed for the first time in a while and considered heading into Sephora to spend my theatre dollars on makeup when I saw the Longacre theatre on 48th street lit up pink and black. I decided to go to the box office and see if they had a lottery for unsold tickets, after all a blizzard was looming. I waited in line behind the director of the show who was casually chatting about Harvey Feirstein and Jeffrey Tambor, the two men who will be replacing Hodge and Grammar – I love when I get to be within ear shot of people like this! When it was my turn, the kind ticket usher informed me that there was a student rush and tickets were still available. He asked if I had a student ID, a little suspiciously I might add (technically, I could still be in college!), and I showed him my Ohio State Id that has no expiration date – thank you OSU. I received a ticket for $36.50. I was ecstatic! My show dreams were going to come true!
The show was magnificent. Since I don’t want to spoil the fun, you can read a plot summary here. But I will share that the transvestites in the company have amazing acrobatic tricks up their sleeves (or should I say corsets ☺) – you will be impressed. Jumping into floor splits could not have been easy! The show focused on love, family and acceptance. I laughed so hard I cried and my heart melted and melted some more. Hodge and Grammar truly deserved all the accolades they have received. The two are superb, and played such a wonderful couple. You would have thought they had been together for twenty years the way they worked off of one another. Anyone who is in the area and has not seen this show yet, do so now. It may be my favorite show on Broadway.
La Cage Aux Folles also has the honor of giving me my best Broadway moment to date. I sat in a box seat on the side of the theatre, about twenty feet from the stage, and during the first act, five additional young people joined me. During intermission, they all decided to find “better” seats in the orchestra, but I was quite content. So there I was, all alone and a tad vulnerable I have to admit. During Douglas Hodge’s song, “The Best of Times,” he sat on the stage and sang to the audience. He took the hand of a viewer in the front row and serenaded him. Then as he paused, he looked up to my box where I was sitting with my hand placed on the railing watching him with such admiration. He waved to me and smiled. I waved back, smiling wider, and the entire audience in the orchestra seats turned to look at the lone person waving to Douglas Hodge. I was so thrilled, and 100% pleased to announce that since I took a risk and sat alone, that wave was meant only for me. So thank you Mr. Hodge for making my evening so magical.
My night ended with a little magic of another sort. A winter wonderland formed while we were inside the theatre. I have not been the biggest fan of the snow lately, but somehow last night, when footprints hadn’t soiled the sidewalks and cars were not racing through the streets, I looked up at the trees on my block covered in snow, slipped and slid to my apartment door, saw no one around but myself and thanked my lucky stars for being able to have such a wonderful night in New York. Below are a few pictures I took of Times Square and my block last night. 11pm and not a soul in sight.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
State of the Union = Party Time!
First things first. After reading this article on yahoo about Kim and Snooki’s courtside meet-up at Saturday night’s Nets game, I am extremely proud of my reporting skills. Even the Ugg-wearing girls in the front row seats are pictured. So if anyone had their doubts about yours truly, you now have proof that I am an honest blogger through and through ☺
Tonight, one of my all time favorite annual broadcastings will take place. Being the nerd I am proud to be, I have not missed a State of the Union address in years. I plan my schedule around it, pop the popcorn, warm up my vocal chords for the cheers and boos that will inevitably come out and prepare the people that may be forced to sit in the room with me as we listen to our President speak about the state of our country and what the future holds. I treat it like a sporting event and an awards show at the same time. When I see Michele Obama’s gorgeous dress, I ooo and ahh and comment on the color and style; I start naming politicians as they enter the room (C-Span has great coverage), and I get a surge of excitement when I hear the Sergeant-at-Arms state, “Mister Speaker (wow, it's been Madam for so long), The President of the United States!”
And apparently, I’m not alone. The majority of the politicians in the audience act as if they are spectators at a hockey game as well. It’s always fun to watch the people directly behind the President, and it's even more amusing during a year like this when the Vice President and Speaker of the House are members of two different parties. One person stands and applauds while the other sits with a sour puss on their face. Wait till you hear the election of this past November mentioned. The roars will be deafening from the Right side of the room. I just hope John Boehner doesn’t start crying again. I must say, I’m going to miss watching Nancy Pelosi leap out of her chair during every slight mention of “distribution of wealth,” “national healthcare,” and “right to choose.” She’s always amusing no matter who the Vice President is. Speaking of, exactly who is the Vice President again? (Just kidding Joe, you know I find you endearing).
It is my personal belief that everyone in this country should watch the State of the Union address. I also feel every student should be required to take a civics class at some point during their high school years but I digress. It doesn’t matter how you lean politically – I find myself in the odd position of being fiscally conservative and socially liberal (a libertarian/independent of sorts) – but it’s very important to understand how your Government works since they are making all of the decisions. As the President addresses congress (the 435 members of the House of Representatives and the 100 members of the Senate) tonight, he will discuss the problems, successes and noteworthy events that have occurred in the past year and what needs to continue/discontinue in the future (note: This is where the fun begins. What one party considers a huge success another party will consider a dismal failure. Stimulus packages and healthcare anyone?) The economy, healthcare, the shooting tragedy in Tucson and continued terror attacks across the world will no doubt all be addressed tonight.
I know everyone does not place politics as #1 on their top favorite things list as I do, so I try my hardest not to get too crazy. Note the term “try.” In previous years, I have given myself a three strike rule when watching the address with my roommates, meaning I get three outbursts before I have to leave the room. As they will tell you very quickly with an annoyed tone, three strikes quickly turns into five, six, and seven when a President starts saying things that prompt the Joe Wilsons of the world to shout “You lie!” I just can’t help it. Do you watch your favorite sports team receive a bad call by the Refs and not get into a tizzy? I didn’t think so. Well tonight, my new roommate H will be watching the State of the Union with me for the first time. I bet my roommates in Columbus are facebook messaging her warnings as I type. Thank God, she is not as into politics as I am, but I will try my hardest to be reserved, respectful and not throw my popcorn at the TV. And to anyone within ear shot of my apartment, I will applaud loudly when President Obama mentions the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t tell. Equality is always something to celebrate.
Happy State of the Union watching!
Tonight, one of my all time favorite annual broadcastings will take place. Being the nerd I am proud to be, I have not missed a State of the Union address in years. I plan my schedule around it, pop the popcorn, warm up my vocal chords for the cheers and boos that will inevitably come out and prepare the people that may be forced to sit in the room with me as we listen to our President speak about the state of our country and what the future holds. I treat it like a sporting event and an awards show at the same time. When I see Michele Obama’s gorgeous dress, I ooo and ahh and comment on the color and style; I start naming politicians as they enter the room (C-Span has great coverage), and I get a surge of excitement when I hear the Sergeant-at-Arms state, “Mister Speaker (wow, it's been Madam for so long), The President of the United States!”
And apparently, I’m not alone. The majority of the politicians in the audience act as if they are spectators at a hockey game as well. It’s always fun to watch the people directly behind the President, and it's even more amusing during a year like this when the Vice President and Speaker of the House are members of two different parties. One person stands and applauds while the other sits with a sour puss on their face. Wait till you hear the election of this past November mentioned. The roars will be deafening from the Right side of the room. I just hope John Boehner doesn’t start crying again. I must say, I’m going to miss watching Nancy Pelosi leap out of her chair during every slight mention of “distribution of wealth,” “national healthcare,” and “right to choose.” She’s always amusing no matter who the Vice President is. Speaking of, exactly who is the Vice President again? (Just kidding Joe, you know I find you endearing).
It is my personal belief that everyone in this country should watch the State of the Union address. I also feel every student should be required to take a civics class at some point during their high school years but I digress. It doesn’t matter how you lean politically – I find myself in the odd position of being fiscally conservative and socially liberal (a libertarian/independent of sorts) – but it’s very important to understand how your Government works since they are making all of the decisions. As the President addresses congress (the 435 members of the House of Representatives and the 100 members of the Senate) tonight, he will discuss the problems, successes and noteworthy events that have occurred in the past year and what needs to continue/discontinue in the future (note: This is where the fun begins. What one party considers a huge success another party will consider a dismal failure. Stimulus packages and healthcare anyone?) The economy, healthcare, the shooting tragedy in Tucson and continued terror attacks across the world will no doubt all be addressed tonight.
I know everyone does not place politics as #1 on their top favorite things list as I do, so I try my hardest not to get too crazy. Note the term “try.” In previous years, I have given myself a three strike rule when watching the address with my roommates, meaning I get three outbursts before I have to leave the room. As they will tell you very quickly with an annoyed tone, three strikes quickly turns into five, six, and seven when a President starts saying things that prompt the Joe Wilsons of the world to shout “You lie!” I just can’t help it. Do you watch your favorite sports team receive a bad call by the Refs and not get into a tizzy? I didn’t think so. Well tonight, my new roommate H will be watching the State of the Union with me for the first time. I bet my roommates in Columbus are facebook messaging her warnings as I type. Thank God, she is not as into politics as I am, but I will try my hardest to be reserved, respectful and not throw my popcorn at the TV. And to anyone within ear shot of my apartment, I will applaud loudly when President Obama mentions the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t tell. Equality is always something to celebrate.
Happy State of the Union watching!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kim K, Snooki, and KateCFerg...What A Trio.
Happy 100th post to me!!! I really wanted post #100 to be noteworthy, so I decided to step out into the cold and explore my beautiful city this weekend. Who knew that the great experience that would translate into a blog post would take place in Newark, NJ of all places. Last night, M and I had tickets to the Nets game. The team has been so horrible lately, that our tickets cost 8 dollars. That was a splurge compared to the 35-cent nosebleed seats we could have chosen. So I made my way from Manhattan to enjoy some basketball at the Prudential Center.
When we arrived, M and I made jokes on how we could care less about this game. During the few times I watch the NBA, I focus on the Knicks and the Lakers. The Knicks are my dad’s team and the Lakers’ home games always have plenty of celebs to oogle at. Who on earth goes to see the Nets?! Half the arena was empty, and the courtside seats were filled with Ugg wearing little girls – most likely the daughters of the players and a few of their lucky little friends. But then I received a text from B in Columbus informing me that Snooki, according to her twitter, was heading to the arena to watch the game as well (You must live under a rock if you are unaware of Snooki’s existence, but she’s from MTV’s Jersey Shore). Okay, not bad. Getting a glimpse of Snooks and her boyfriend would definitely appease me for a quarter. M and I started searching.
As we were looking for our too-tanned guidette, a thought occurred to me. Kim Kardashian has been dating Chris Humphries, a Forward for the Nets, for quite some time. I also realized that she had been in town this weekend promoting her new show Kim and Kourtney Take New York. Well, lo and behold, not two minutes later in walks our girl. Wearing gorgeous white pants (she would) and a black top, her long brunette locks were flowing and her booty was shaking. The picture below this post is a far away shot of Kim leaving the game (Notice the girl in the white pants…that’s her! - Click on the photo to make it larger). She was accompanied by a few friends, one being Jonathan Cheban who has his own show on E as well and has been on many episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. M and I were in utter shock! There she was! Kim Kardashian and I were in the same room (sort of). She was quite a distance away, and the big security guard blocking the entrance to her section was not going to let this fan get by for a photo no matter how much I begged, but she was in my sights the entire game. At halftime, She ran over to Snooki and gave her a hug. She then had Snooki take Jonathan’s seat and Jonathan and Snooki’s muscle headed boyfriend knelt down on the court. The two ladies then took pictures with their own personal cameras. As a lover of all things celebrities, it was so much fun to watch. I forgot a basketball game was occurring.
The game ended up being closer than people thought it would be. The Nets lost by one point, Chris Humphries had a great game and Kim walked out with her posse to go enjoy the rest of her night. I was going to ask her if she could give me a ride back to the city in her limo, but she left before I could catch her. Late last night when I got back to my apartment, I went on twitter and saw Snooki had written a little message to Kim:
Sn00ki: "@JonathanCheban @KimKardashian So nice to see you guys tonight! Love you bitches! Xoxo"
Kim replied with: “Love u snookaroo! Hang out in Jerz soon!”
I couldn’t help but feel as if they were tweeting to me as well. After all, I was hanging out with them too. Oh and I guess a few thousand other people joined us for the fun. ☺
Here’s to another 100 posts…thanks for reading all of my ramblings. Follow me on Twitter!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Kick, Punch, Right Hook, Left
So far today has been a productive day. I don’t have too many of those on my days off, so when they come, it is cause for a celebration…once all the work is accomplished of course. As you can see, I updated the blog today. I felt some new pictures were needed – A little light to help us get through the long, harsh winter still ahead.
I also got my booty to the gym this morning and attended a cardio kickboxing class. I run five miles three times a week (during a good week), and I kept telling myself “This will be a piece of cake.” As I was stretching my ligaments with fifteen other girls (I’m pretty sure five of them were the models in the high-end designer ads in last month’s Vogue), in walked our instructor. The first thing I noticed was a large bump protruding from her stomach. A pregnant woman is going to be teaching me kickboxing? I thought I joined a New York City gym. I was a tad disappointed some size 0 Barbie doll with rock hard abs wasn’t standing in front of me. Oh well, I would see how it went.
Five minutes later, this self-proclaimed “in shape” blogger, was wheezing, panting and cursing the day she ever had one shred of doubt for the prego instructor. How the hell was she able to kick so high…and all those punches had to be disrupting her fetus. I felt as if her eyes were on me the entire time. I was clearly the newbie of the group, kicking when others were blocking (bringing your knee up to your chest) and punching when others were giving a right hook. At one point she told the group to get water if needed and I swear she was directing this order only to me. I took a quick gulp of my water bottle and kept mustering through. It was the hardest 55-minute class I have ever participated in. I hated Alison (the instructor with child), the female martial arts expert with the black spandex standing to my left and ALL of the songs that refused to end throughout the class. It was an embarrassing experience to say the least, but the competitor inside of me will not be defeated. I will be back next week to prove to these Upper West Side workout fiends that I belong. I don’t care if I die in the process. I felt great afterwards, and if I keep this class up, those extra pounds keeping me warm this winter are going to melt off just in time for spring.
I also got my booty to the gym this morning and attended a cardio kickboxing class. I run five miles three times a week (during a good week), and I kept telling myself “This will be a piece of cake.” As I was stretching my ligaments with fifteen other girls (I’m pretty sure five of them were the models in the high-end designer ads in last month’s Vogue), in walked our instructor. The first thing I noticed was a large bump protruding from her stomach. A pregnant woman is going to be teaching me kickboxing? I thought I joined a New York City gym. I was a tad disappointed some size 0 Barbie doll with rock hard abs wasn’t standing in front of me. Oh well, I would see how it went.
Five minutes later, this self-proclaimed “in shape” blogger, was wheezing, panting and cursing the day she ever had one shred of doubt for the prego instructor. How the hell was she able to kick so high…and all those punches had to be disrupting her fetus. I felt as if her eyes were on me the entire time. I was clearly the newbie of the group, kicking when others were blocking (bringing your knee up to your chest) and punching when others were giving a right hook. At one point she told the group to get water if needed and I swear she was directing this order only to me. I took a quick gulp of my water bottle and kept mustering through. It was the hardest 55-minute class I have ever participated in. I hated Alison (the instructor with child), the female martial arts expert with the black spandex standing to my left and ALL of the songs that refused to end throughout the class. It was an embarrassing experience to say the least, but the competitor inside of me will not be defeated. I will be back next week to prove to these Upper West Side workout fiends that I belong. I don’t care if I die in the process. I felt great afterwards, and if I keep this class up, those extra pounds keeping me warm this winter are going to melt off just in time for spring.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Jazz in the City
Last night, this music lover took in some Jazz at Juilliard. Have I mentioned how much I love my new roommate? H scored us free tickets to see two Jazz ensembles perform at Paul Recital Hall, and I was blown away. First and foremost, I never thought the day would come when I had connections to Juilliard, a school that always seemed like a mythical land where insanely talented people lived and breathed their art. It was one of those places I’ve always heard about, but never thought I’d be able to explore. But explore it I did. H took me through the hallowed halls where I heard drummers and harpists practicing behind closed doors, Opera singers conversing, and dancers (some very good looking young men) hanging out in their rehearsal rooms. It was as if I had died and was thrust into some sort of artistic heaven. Between T working in television and H working in music, attending the Emmys and the Grammys shouldn’t be too far off, right?
The show itself was wonderful. I’ve heard Jazz before and even had the pleasure of performing it at Lincoln Center with my Show Choir during my senior year of high school, but this entered a new field of spectacular. Most of the members of each ensemble composed their own pieces for their group to play. I have a great respect for composers. They can hear tunes in their heads and know exactly which notes will fit together to create beautiful music. It is a talent that I could never master, and my level of admiration for people that can create things I simply cannot is very high.
The first ensemble group was much smaller, but just as powerful as the second, and had a tenor saxophone player who was chosen to fill in for a member who had fallen ill the day before the concert. He nailed every piece he had to play simply by sight reading the music. Talk about gifted. The second group included one of H’s friends (who has recorded his own album) and a pianist named Jonathan Batiste, who at just 24 has performed at Carnegie Hall a few times, collaborated with Lenny Kravitz and Harry Connick Jr., released his first CD at the ripe age of 17 and is said to be a future legend in the making by multitudes of stars in the music industry. And I got to witness his piano greatest for free.
So here I am. Rubbing elbows with the stars of tomorrow (my roommate is a celebrity in her own right), and thanking my lucky stars that I am able to see these wonderful performances simply by hopping on a 10 minute subway ride. If Jazz left me feeling this enthralled, imagine what seeing Shakespeare’s Henry V in February is going to do. Mixing my love of literature and drama – I may need to be resuscitated.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Another Healthy Year
Once you live on your own, it seems like every month your expenses become greater and greater. First you’re only paying for groceries and rent, then the utility bills are due, then you’re paying for dinner a few nights a week, a cab here and there will cost you, a monthly metro card (higher fees and all) is a necessity, that pesky Netflix bills seems larger, a new college loan bill begins dinging your account, you think about joining weightwatchers online, then you buy new running shoes, new work clothes, spring is coming so it’s time for the new anorak jacket you’ve had your eyes on and before you know it, you really need your internship to go full time before your savings runs out…and you didn’t even purchase the Chloe perfume you were so gung-ho on buying at Christmas.
Then there’s the gym membership that you tried so hard to put off. The other night, I joined the New York Sports Club. My bank account has suffered another fatal blow. Running in the freezing cold until my lungs couldn’t take anymore and taking two hour walks around town bundled up from my nose to my toes wasn’t cutting it. I could not stop the inevitable. I had to join a gym. I missed kickboxing classes and elliptical machines. I even missed my dreaded treadmill. But most of all, I missed feeling my phalanges while working out, so I handed over my credit card, took one long deep breath, and slipped on my running shoes.
My reaction to my new gym is the same as my reaction to any new experience that I have yet to embark on…sheer terror. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to show my sweaty, panting face at a place where everyone, even the old guy on the elliptical next to me, is in better shape than I am. This is New York after all. Models and actors walk among us normal people everyday. Actually, I think one was using the kettle ball across the room. I decided to take it slow and get used to my new surroundings. The gym was crowded, but what location isn’t in NYC? My membership allows me to use any NYSC in New York, so my first venture was to 73rd and Central Park West – it had the best reviews. My first ever spinning class tomorrow (that should be entertaining) will also be held there, but cardio kickboxing on Friday will be at 94th and Broadway. I’m all about getting the best value. One gym doesn’t do it for me. I need five within a 1 mile distance to choose from.
So this is it. The one year membership (really hope my job doesn’t relocate me somewhere else!) that will assist me in losing the 15 pounds I’ve been carrying around since I was 13. It won’t be easy. I’ve only ever been about 3 pounds lighter than I am right now since I became a teenager! Unlike some who put on a ton of weight and then work to lose it, I’ve never known myself as an adult any lighter than I am right now. It will be fun to see my transformation, and it will take a lot of time, dedication and discipline. So here’s hoping that the new gym is the final gigantic step I need to take to finally get to exactly where I want to be. Wish me luck at Spin tomorrow…I’ll need it!
Then there’s the gym membership that you tried so hard to put off. The other night, I joined the New York Sports Club. My bank account has suffered another fatal blow. Running in the freezing cold until my lungs couldn’t take anymore and taking two hour walks around town bundled up from my nose to my toes wasn’t cutting it. I could not stop the inevitable. I had to join a gym. I missed kickboxing classes and elliptical machines. I even missed my dreaded treadmill. But most of all, I missed feeling my phalanges while working out, so I handed over my credit card, took one long deep breath, and slipped on my running shoes.
My reaction to my new gym is the same as my reaction to any new experience that I have yet to embark on…sheer terror. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to show my sweaty, panting face at a place where everyone, even the old guy on the elliptical next to me, is in better shape than I am. This is New York after all. Models and actors walk among us normal people everyday. Actually, I think one was using the kettle ball across the room. I decided to take it slow and get used to my new surroundings. The gym was crowded, but what location isn’t in NYC? My membership allows me to use any NYSC in New York, so my first venture was to 73rd and Central Park West – it had the best reviews. My first ever spinning class tomorrow (that should be entertaining) will also be held there, but cardio kickboxing on Friday will be at 94th and Broadway. I’m all about getting the best value. One gym doesn’t do it for me. I need five within a 1 mile distance to choose from.
So this is it. The one year membership (really hope my job doesn’t relocate me somewhere else!) that will assist me in losing the 15 pounds I’ve been carrying around since I was 13. It won’t be easy. I’ve only ever been about 3 pounds lighter than I am right now since I became a teenager! Unlike some who put on a ton of weight and then work to lose it, I’ve never known myself as an adult any lighter than I am right now. It will be fun to see my transformation, and it will take a lot of time, dedication and discipline. So here’s hoping that the new gym is the final gigantic step I need to take to finally get to exactly where I want to be. Wish me luck at Spin tomorrow…I’ll need it!
Monday, January 17, 2011
And The Award Goes To...
I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with Hollywood – Probably more so than a supposedly sane individual should be. I love everything about the film industry: The glamour, the writing, the movies themselves. Everything. So it should not surprise you to discover that the Award’s Season is probably my favorite time of year. Last night, the Golden Globes aired, and I sat on my couch with a smile on my face that one should only reserve for Christmas morning…What would Natalie Portman be wearing to accentuate her baby bump? Would Helena Bonham Carter look outrageous? (yes). Would Ricky Gervais be as funny as last year? (not so much). I even turned off the Jets/Patriots game. That’s right, football for the first time all season took second fiddle to something I consider to be much more important. So there was me, my not nearly as interested guests and the HD tv waiting to see who the Hollywood Foreign Press would award the honors to.
I watched two hours, that’s right two hours, of red carpet coverage (my favorites of the night were Catherine Zeta Jones, Eva Longoria and Mila Kunis…my least favorites were Christina Aguilera and Julianne Moore). Then I watched as award after award went to actors and actresses, directors and writers who I thought more than deserved their awards. This season has been especially enjoyable since I have seen many of the movies nominated. Natalie Portman, in my humble opinion, was the only possible winner for Best Actress in a motion picture drama. Her portrayal of a tortured ballet dancer in Black Swan put her in a league all her own. The Social Network was also one of my favorite films of the year. I was glad that such a current and popular film won so many awards (Best Picture was a stretch, but I’ll have to wait until I see The King’s Speech later this week to make a truly accurate judgment). I remember a few seasons ago when No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood won all of the awards. I usually see the movies that most people skip out on, but those films are still on my “movies I need to see” list – I just have less interest. Last year’s Hurt Locker was only okay for me…a good film, but not Best Picture quality, so it is good to see a high grossing film getting notoriety. As far as television goes, being a total “Gleek,” I was very pleased with the three Golden Globes Glee received. I cried as Chris Colfer took the stage in shock and awe to accept his award for playing loveable and openly gay Kurt on the show. He does such a wonderful job week after week and it was so deserved, and he looked so genuinely grateful. Have I mentioned how warm and fuzzy these shows make me feel?
The Academy Awards are now six weeks away, and I’m very excited to catch up on the movies I still need to view. All I hear are wonderful things about The Fighter, and some of my favorite actors make up the cast. I’m still waiting for Amy Adams to win her Golden Globe – she is just so talented. I am very pleased with Christian Bale’s win last night since I have literally seen him in everything he has ever done prior to this. Anyone remember Newsies? I can’t wait for him to pick up his first Oscar as well. With the Oscars comes an entirely new red carpet full of high expectations and missteps, and I cannot wait. I find talented people extremely attractive, and I can only hope that one day I will be fortunate enough to perhaps write a screenplay and attend these prestigious awards in my own beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown. Or, I could always quit my job, move to LA, star in a movie and attend one of the shows as a best actress nominee…a girl can dream, right?
I watched two hours, that’s right two hours, of red carpet coverage (my favorites of the night were Catherine Zeta Jones, Eva Longoria and Mila Kunis…my least favorites were Christina Aguilera and Julianne Moore). Then I watched as award after award went to actors and actresses, directors and writers who I thought more than deserved their awards. This season has been especially enjoyable since I have seen many of the movies nominated. Natalie Portman, in my humble opinion, was the only possible winner for Best Actress in a motion picture drama. Her portrayal of a tortured ballet dancer in Black Swan put her in a league all her own. The Social Network was also one of my favorite films of the year. I was glad that such a current and popular film won so many awards (Best Picture was a stretch, but I’ll have to wait until I see The King’s Speech later this week to make a truly accurate judgment). I remember a few seasons ago when No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood won all of the awards. I usually see the movies that most people skip out on, but those films are still on my “movies I need to see” list – I just have less interest. Last year’s Hurt Locker was only okay for me…a good film, but not Best Picture quality, so it is good to see a high grossing film getting notoriety. As far as television goes, being a total “Gleek,” I was very pleased with the three Golden Globes Glee received. I cried as Chris Colfer took the stage in shock and awe to accept his award for playing loveable and openly gay Kurt on the show. He does such a wonderful job week after week and it was so deserved, and he looked so genuinely grateful. Have I mentioned how warm and fuzzy these shows make me feel?
The Academy Awards are now six weeks away, and I’m very excited to catch up on the movies I still need to view. All I hear are wonderful things about The Fighter, and some of my favorite actors make up the cast. I’m still waiting for Amy Adams to win her Golden Globe – she is just so talented. I am very pleased with Christian Bale’s win last night since I have literally seen him in everything he has ever done prior to this. Anyone remember Newsies? I can’t wait for him to pick up his first Oscar as well. With the Oscars comes an entirely new red carpet full of high expectations and missteps, and I cannot wait. I find talented people extremely attractive, and I can only hope that one day I will be fortunate enough to perhaps write a screenplay and attend these prestigious awards in my own beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown. Or, I could always quit my job, move to LA, star in a movie and attend one of the shows as a best actress nominee…a girl can dream, right?
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