Triumphs, Travels, & Tribulations

Resolutions...In November

2011-11-22T16:02:00.001-05:00

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!

Who Knew I Was Such A Feminist?

2011-05-17T16:34:00.002-04:00

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.)

When Life Gives You Lemons...

2011-05-13T16:44:00.001-04:00

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.

The Lady's Got Potential

2011-05-12T10:39:00.001-04:00

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.

Weight Watchers: One Week Complete.

2011-04-22T17:31:00.002-04:00

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!

I'm A Big Girl Now

2011-04-22T16:51:00.005-04:00

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.

Down But Not Defeated...

2011-04-14T23:44:00.001-04:00

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.

Online Dating: Time for a Cooling Off Period.

2011-03-28T18:55:00.005-04:00

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.

L and K Take New York

2011-03-21T20:47:00.005-04:00

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!

Plan…Who Needs A Plan?

2011-03-10T20:50:00.004-05:00

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.

Religion: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

2011-03-08T21:11:00.002-05:00

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.

How Much Info Is Too Much Info…

2011-03-07T21:05:00.005-05:00

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.

The Big First Date...

2011-02-28T21:53:00.002-05:00

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.

Helping Others...Pass It On

2011-02-24T22:33:00.007-05:00

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 ☺)

Discovering I’m not perfect…

2011-02-22T17:46:00.003-05:00

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.

Online Dating in the City: The Beginning

2011-02-17T23:05:00.003-05:00

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.

“Still single…Chances are you’re a woman."

2011-02-16T22:05:00.002-05:00

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.

Gaga, Love and Connecticut

2011-02-15T21:02:00.011-05:00

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.

Interning 101 - Timeliness is Close to Godliness?

2011-02-08T18:21:00.004-05:00

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.

5 Months and Counting...

2011-02-07T20:07:00.007-05:00

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.

How I Wish I Could Hibernate…

2011-02-01T17:53:00.020-05:00

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.

My Magical Winter Night On Broadway

2011-01-27T23:57:00.007-05:00

“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.

State of the Union = Party Time!

2011-01-25T18:45:00.005-05:00

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!

Kim K, Snooki, and KateCFerg...What A Trio.

2011-01-23T17:05:00.005-05:00

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!

Kick, Punch, Right Hook, Left

2011-01-21T17:20:00.003-05:00

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.

Jazz in the City

2011-01-20T20:29:00.006-05:00

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.

Another Healthy Year

2011-01-19T22:43:00.001-05:00

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!

And The Award Goes To...

2011-01-17T11:16:00.003-05:00

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?

Forced To Go Vegan...

2011-01-10T21:28:00.004-05:00

This past weekend, I was forced into a semi-vegan existence. I have allergy testing this coming Thursday, and the doctor gave me a list of foods/drinks that I’m not allowed to consume starting five days before the test. On Saturday (my 5 day starting point), I decided to look at the list thinking the only thing I would be giving up was Benadryl, bananas, and alcohol…boy, was I wrong. Here is the list that I read that morning…

Alcohol, chocolate, milk, shellfish, bananas, eggs, papayas, strawberries, certain nuts, fish, pineapple, tomatoes, anchovies, canned foods, eggplant, fish, mackerel, processed meats, sauerkraut, sour cream, tuna, wines, avocados, ciders, fermented beverages, herring, melons, salami, sausage, spinach, vermouth, yeast extract, beer, citrus fruits, fermented cheeses, jam preserves, plums, sardines, some oriental foods, tomatoes, vinegars, yogurt.

If your mouth is agape after reading this list, imagine what I looked like when I had to decide what I should eat for breakfast. My favorite items are “certain nuts” and “some oriental foods” – hmm vague enough? If I had celiac disease, I think I would be dropping dead in the next few hours. English muffins with vegan butter have saved my life. Thank God I live in the most diverse city in the world when it comes to food. There are vegan restaurants (but I can’t eat tomatoes) all over the place. I have been chowing down on hummus, dry cereal and apples. Last night, I had a frozen “Amy’s” dinner that was lactose free, gluten free and vegan – It was actually quite yummy, but talk about a complete lifestyle change at the drop of a hat. I grew up on meat and potatoes. My parents are going to see my food choices this Wednesday night when I head home for my test and regret their encouragement of my move (I can hear the hippie comments now). Of course, I can eat all things that are bad for you – French fries aren’t on the list, bread is a go and I’m pretty sure I can eat all the chips I want. Awesome. I want pineapples back in my life!

I’m using this experience to test out new foods. I don’t think I could ever go completely vegan, becuase I enjoy cheese too much, but perhaps I can make simple adjustments in my diet to live a healthier existence. Meat is unnecessary and hummus has tons of protein. Dairy is not good for you either – I found dairy free ice cream that tasted great (almost like the real thing). I’m sticking with plain vanilla until my testing, but once that’s over I’m going to try the cookie dough option. My roommate informs me that there is a bakery near our apartment that has tons of vegan cookies and cupcakes that are tasty as well. I’m trying to cut back on sugar, but a little treat here and there never killed anyone. There are also Indian restaurants that have plenty of vegetarian delights in the area…I’ve never had a falafel. Since my food changes are for health reasons and have nothing to do with morality, eggs will still be a part of my diet and I’m not going to fret if milk is used in a recipe or on top of my morning cereal. I’ll try all food once, so we’ll see if I can keep this up for a week or two. Thanks to my Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor for throwing me to the vegan wolves. I’m still not sure I want this, but what better time to try something new. And the added perk is the couple of pounds I’m sure to drop from munching on lettuce, grapes and black bean soup all week.

I Forgot How Much I Loved Walking

2011-01-07T18:52:00.005-05:00

Update: The roommate returned today from her homeland and brought with her Peanut, her adorable kitty (who’s actually 14) from her home to come live with us! I’m ecstatic. Peanut is perfect. Oh and Peanut happens to be the exact same type of cat as my LOML (love of my life) Bubbles – I’m telling you, this apartment-ship is meant to be.

Today, the snow came again. It was nowhere near as bad as last week’s Armageddon-like blitz, but I’ve seen enough snow in my day to last me a few years. Is it spring yet? Since I was too nervous to go running on the wet streets (a broken leg is the last thing I need), I decided to walk to my blood work appointment at Columbus Circle. I’m afraid of potential stalkers, so I’ll tell you that I live between 100 and 110th street on the Upper West Side. Columbus Circle begins at 59th and my appointment was on 58th. So I walked the 50ish blocks to the building, had three vials of blood taken, grabbed a coffee from Starbucks and walked back. I figured a 100-block workout was a pretty decent way to start off my day. It may not have been a 6-mile run through Central Park, but I was able to experience all of the beauty (and money!) surrounding the UWS. I walked by some pretty nice prep schools and many beautiful residential buildings. One of the great things about living in NYC is being able to discover everything that surrounds you. I walked by the Museum of Natural History, the San Remo, and the Dakota (where John Lennon lived and was killed). I really enjoy my neighborhood and loved my walk in the falling snow, even when it was hindering my vision. I cannot wait for the weather to get a tad nicer out, because I have a feeling I’m going to be walking quite a bit, and there’s so much I still have to see. I cannot wait until my excursions of the Upper East Side begin – talk about another planet. I may even take another journey tomorrow to pick up M from Penn Station. I figure what’s another twenty blocks. I’ve been really into exercising for the last year simply because it’s such a great way to clear your head – oh, and I guess it is good for you too. I could really get used to this walking thing – but it will never beat that run through the Park. That was just perfect.

Meet and Greet

2011-01-04T20:01:00.001-05:00

Now that I’m a resident of this beautiful city, it’s time to make friends. That’s my new, New Year’s resolution. I met my New Jersey friend last night after work and we went to a cute Mexican restaurant a couple of blocks from my apartment. She’s probably the most outgoing person I know, and I started to chat with her about making friends in NYC. What surprised me was her response. She spent some time here last summer in order to be closer to her job and stated, “For such a large city, it’s unbelievable how lonely you can feel.” This response coming from her shocked me. She’s that girl that can walk into any bar and become friends with every person in the room in five minutes. I felt a lot better about myself, because while the lonely girl in the city feeling has not plagued me yet (I’m still looking around with my mouth open wide at every turn I take when I get off the subway), I fear it may creep into my life in the next couple of months unless I make some changes.

So I’m doing what I have to do to make new friends. I recently logged onto meetup.com – a site dedicated to helping people like myself find buddies in the city. You’d be surprised how many relatively normal people are facing the exact same situation I am. Most of the posts on a group titled “The New to NYC Group for Young Adults 20-25” were “Just moved to NYC from ‘fill in the blank’ and I’m looking to meet new people.” NYC is huge – 8 million people call this amazing place home, but so many of us are not walking into bars alone on Friday nights or walking up to strangers in coffee shops. What do you even say in those situations? “Hi, I’m new to New York. Be my friend?” I feel that’s not the best first impression to give others. What’s great about meetup.com is that it focuses solely on your interests, so you’re able to meet like minded people. I joined a writing group and am currently on a waiting list to write for an hour with others at the Starbucks at the Empire State Building next Wednesday. There is a meet and greet next Sunday downtown near Washington Square Park for 20-somethings new to the city. Hopefully one of these groups will supply me with a new crowd of friends who will help me explore the city.

While I’ve always tried to be as friendly as possible, I don’t think anyone would call me the most social butterfly. I tend to stick with my wolf pack (forgive the overused term), and don’t branch out too often. My goal is to change this about myself. There are billions of interesting people in this world, and I have to meet up with a few of them if I’m going to make sure I don’t fall into the ice cream and Netflix Friday/Saturday night routine. I’m lucky I still have friends living close enough to come into the city and have dinner/go out with me on any given weekend – M is coming up on Saturday for a fun-filled, Black Swan viewing night (although since I’m having allergy testing done next week and can’t drink alcohol starting Saturday, it probably will be an ice cream eating, movie watching Saturday night – eh, oh well) I’m not sure how the brave souls who move into apartments alone with no roommates or friends in the area survive. Networking is the best way to take advantage of all situations whether it’s bar hopping or job changing, and I plan to network quite a lot in the next couple of months in order to settle down in my new home.

PS: Anyone who has friends in the city who want a fun, young red-head to go out with one of these nights, give them my name! You receive extra brownie points in my friendship book if that friend happens to be an attractive, single man. ☺

Good Morning NYC

2011-01-02T11:38:00.004-05:00

Good morning New York. I just woke up for the first time in my new apartment – I’m finally home. Yesterday, my family and I went through quite the production to pack up our SUV and rental van with all of my furniture and bins for my new place. We finally made it up to the city at around 3, and then went through the entire production again as we unloaded – it’s not so easy carrying a heavy dresser through the streets of Manhattan.

After my family left, I had my moment of “Oh Jesus, I’m really on my own now.” A few tears came, I played Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up” – it seemed fitting, and then got excited. I am in New York to stay, and I plan to own this city.

My roommate will not be returning to our pad for a few days, and so last night was my first night in my new apartment completely alone. Since I was exhausted from my move, I stayed on the couch and watched movies and some fun TV. I watched the end of Garden State – I thought it was a sign, and I kept up with the Kardashians for a while. I wasn’t sure how well I was going to do sleep-wise since I once spent the night alone in my apartment in Columbus, and I was convinced a stranger was outside my door (I was *this close* to grabbing the bat under my bed and running out swinging). However, I had the best night of sleep in my own place. I left my door opened since the heat in my room heats the entire apartment, but I think because my new home is smaller and cozier, I knew no bad strangers were in my house.

Unfortunately the weather is not my friend today. The rain will stop at around 1, so my Central Park run will be postponed till afternoon – I get to run for the first time in the park. Hooray! Exploring may have to wait until tomorrow after work, but I’m here now, and all I have is time.

Goodbye 2010

2010-12-31T18:24:00.002-05:00

I’m slowly getting ready to head out and welcome in the New Year, but before I do, I must say farewell to 2010. What an amazing year for me. I turned 21, graduated college, got my first big girl job in New York and rented my first NYC apartment. I am so grateful for everything that has been bestowed on me these last 365 days, and I’m looking forward to everything 2011 is going to bring. I officially move into my new apartment tomorrow, and I feel like there is no better way to begin a new year – a completely new beginning…a grown-up beginning, with grown up problems and grown up joys. God has blessed me in so many beautiful ways. I have family and friends all over the country, and I love and will miss them so much when I move. They support me in wonderful ways, and I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without them. I have such a great life, and I can’t wait to see where my path leads.

With that said, here are my 2011 New Year Resolutions…

-Stay healthy! (Run a half marathon perhaps?)
-Stay happy!
-Take risks!
-Live in the moment!
-Walk around and smell the flowers…literally. This world is so beautiful, and we miss so much because we’re so busy. In 2011, I’m going to take deep breaths, and take lots of chances. No one ever got to where they needed to go by waiting for life to come to them – it’s my turn to go out and get what I want. I’m going to Love, Laugh and Live everyday – and most of all, I will live my life with purpose.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! May love and happiness find you all year long. <3

Blizzard 2010

2010-12-27T13:36:00.004-05:00

The blizzard kept me homebound. I tried. I really tried. This morning I woke up at 5:30, straightened my hair, put on my work clothes and went upstairs to eat breakfast. As I was heading up the stairs, I glanced out the front door and noticed that the entire street had not been plowed in several hours. A good three-four feet of snow was sitting on the road and was blocking both of our cars – the cars I needed to get me to the train station. My dad told me to go back to bed, but before I did, I e-mailed my boss to apologize for not making it in this morning. I decided to check the train updates one last time and saw that all trains had been suspended for the time being. So I gave it my all. I still feel like I maybe should have tried a little harder – perhaps getting stuck on the train with no heat or bathrooms for several hours would have really shown my dedication to the company, but that was a hassle I didn’t feel like dealing with (and couldn’t have dealt with unless I trekked through the snow and walked to the station). It’s 1:25 pm here in NJ and the plows have yet to get to our street. I’m nervous that I’m going to need to shovel my way out tomorrow morning to make sure I get to work.

On the bright side of making zero dollars today, I do have the entire day to pack and I’m making great progress. I’m just about ready to go. I’ve been humming the “NYC” song from the musical Annie for the last two days in preparations for my big move on Wednesday (assuming the plows show up.) I have thrown out a lot of “crap,” and I have all of my bins organized. It’s such a weird feeling to know that I am moving out of my parent’s home – I feel so old. The biggest positive about this move (besides the fact that it’s fulfilling a life-long dream) is that I get to take my wonderful, comfortable, marvelous bed – the bed everyone loves to sleep in. This bed (I’m sitting on it right now) is equivalent to the family saying, “Anywhere we are, as long as we’re together, is home.” Well, anywhere I go with this bed, will be home. I missed it terribly while I was at college. The other great snowy surprise was that my best friend, who was supposed to fly out to New Mexico tonight, has been grounded until Thursday afternoon, so she can now help me move into my new apartment. Everything is working out the way it’s supposed to. Here’s hoping I don’t get fired for failing to get into work today – that would not bode well with my upcoming plans.

Once again stay safe and warm! Don’t go outside unless you absolutely have to (because you’ll make me look bad!)

I'm Dreaming Of A White Post-Christmas

2010-12-26T21:01:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. I feel so blessed (and full of food!), and I’m sad the holiday season is just about over. I’m also sad about the fact that I have to trek to work tomorrow (anyone else see the blizzard outside?) but I digress. On Christmas Eve, my family and I visited the houses of a few friends in town. I was able to see the young children excited for Santa’s pending arrival and laughed with friends I hadn’t seen since last Christmas. My brother, friends and I then went to midnight mass. I enjoy the midnight service because the church bells ringing before the Priest walks down the aisle inform us that it is officially Christmas morning, and everyone whispers “Merry Christmas to each other before officially singing “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

I had a lovely Christmas morning with my family. You can tell we’re getting older when my brother is still sleeping at 10:30 and Dad, mom and I are watching A Christmas Story while I eat cereal – all while the presents are still wrapped under the tree. We had a great time opening our gifts. Mom cried over the collage frame Scott and I put together for her, so a successful Christmas was had. I started cooking the dinner at around 2 and had everything ready for 4pm when our guests started to arrive. I made a green bean and sweet potato casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a pineapple/cranberry dessert and a cheesecake – I was so proud of myself…and no one was poisoned.

Today the leftovers are being eaten and a blizzard has taken over the East Coast. I’m pretty sure there is a state of emergency in NJ and NY, and I’ll be training it up to work tomorrow unless a snow angel grants me a day off. This will be much easier once I’m actually living in NYC. Speaking of…it’s t-3 days and my room looks like a bomb went off. Packing up all of your life long belongings and hoping it will fit in a small bedroom is rough. Looks like mom and dad will be storing lots of “Kate” bins in the attic for the next few years.

Happy Blizzard East Coasters…stay safe and warm.

Embarrassing Story of the Day

2010-12-23T11:22:00.001-05:00

The other night, my family and I were having dinner at our local Carrabba’s. My parents had never eaten there before so I thought the place would be perfect for my mom’s birthday dinner. We had a wonderful meal – when have I not had a wonderful meal at Carrabba’s – and when we were finished, the waiter came to grab our plates. He asked how our meal was and my dad said…and I quote “I have two things to say. One, my daughter is available and two the food was great.” I’m sorry, what?! I was mortified. The waiter laughed and then, instead of telling my dad he was happily married, which is what I was secretly hoping for since he was nice, but not my type, he goes along with it (I thought for perhaps a larger tip). The waiter then asks me how old I am and I tell him. He states, “Well, I’m 28…a little older than you (hmm, we’re dealing with a genius here) but maybe we could work something out.” At about this time, my brother is about to pee his pants laughing. I’m just sitting there stunned, not sure what I should do or say. The waiter comes back with our checks and turns to me and say, “I left my number on the check. Give me a call sometime.” I could have killed my father.

Once we got home, I had a decision to make. I could write the entire thing off as a bad dinner (something I’ve never had at Carrabba’s☹), or I could be nice. So I foolishly decided to text him to apologize for my dad’s behavior. We chatted back and forth through texting that night, but he started getting weird…Some texts I received that night: “Who is Kate? Tell me who you think you are”, “Did you see how I switched between first and third person in my text?”, “Do you get offended when I don’t text in proper English?” These are not taken out of context. I fell asleep after about 30 odd questions and the next morning received another text asking what I was doing. Now, I thought to myself, okay, maybe he wants to have lunch or something – it’s a Sunday. Nope, instead I get, “Why don’t you venture down to Atlantic City for the day and hang out in the room with me. I’m watching football.” For those of you who don’t know me or where I’m from, AC is a good hour and half away from me (and it was pouring down rain this day as well), and I don’t usually (ever!) go to strange hotel rooms where people I don’t know reside (he’s from my area…why was he in a hotel room for the day?) and “watch football.” Suffice to say, Carrabba’s waiter and I never ended up hanging out. I promptly told him to have a good holiday and he didn’t contact me after that. Doesn’t anyone have coffee dates anymore…or social skills? I miss the good old days of 13 when you went to the mall together and held hands. Dad’s days of playing matchmaker are officially over.

Hope your love life prospers this holiday season <3

Name Change

2010-12-23T00:01:00.003-05:00

Yes, Jersey Girl has left the building. She’s flying away from the nest and settling into a new home with a new comforter and a desk looking out into an ally. I decided to change my blog name for two reasons. One, I really enjoy change. And two, I felt it was time for a title that highlighted all of the happenings in my life. After all, I have been writing about my triumphs, travels and tribulations for many months now, so why not reflect that? This Jersey girl will still be taking on the world, but a new life is beginning, and if the journey so far has been this wonderful, I can only imagine what is to come.

Cue the Jeopardy Theme Song:

2010-12-22T23:47:00.001-05:00

So much to do, so little time! I was a college student for the last three Christmases, so when it came time to buy the presents, I was usually done by the third week of December. This year, because I’m working, I am still a couple of gifts short. And I have 2 days to fix this problem! After work today, I went straight uptown to buy my dad his cigars (no worries, he never reads my blog), and then I went to take a peak at the Christmas décor one final time before the 25th. I glanced at the tree, saw the shiny balls on 6th avenue (a favorite), and ran back to the Path train to make sure I was home to wrap before my run. Speaking of wrapping, I still need to purchase the bags, tissue paper, and bows for the gifts as well. I’m beginning to understand a little more why my parents are always out doing “last minute” shopping (I’m convinced it’s ALL of the shopping) on Christmas eve and are up until 4am every year wrapping – it was a little hard to believe in Santa when you weren’t allowed to go in the garage for the night of the 24th and all of the presents (ones from mom and dad, and ones from Santa) had the same paper – oh well, they tried.

I made out a holiday schedule (because I’m awesome like that) to make sure I get through the next few days painlessly and stress free. And I even added in 5 mile runs to all the days in order to be able to eat the carrot cake I’m going to bake tomorrow night guilt free. I’m such an organized person…too organized sometimes (OCD anyone?), and literally the only way I can function is with lots and lots of “to-do” lists. Remember when I was back in college and made a “Three-week end of the quarter” to-do list…yea, that was fun. Anyway, I have a plan. And I know God is laughing at me, but I’m hoping to stick to it. Dinner needs to be cooked on Christmas day (PS my extended family still has not told me if they are coming to dinner or not…nightmare scenario for a planner), presents need to be opened Christmas morning, and a pre-Christmas lunch needs to be had tomorrow afternoon. I will get it all done and pat myself on the back at 10pm December 25th, but it is funny how the days of childhood are officially over. No more happy-go-lucky attitude; no more depending on others to get the work done; no more having mom buy the gift you give to dad; Childhood is finished and Christmas is becoming an entirely new experience, and I will start creating my own traditions for my adult life (perhaps my sweet potato casserole will become a favorite; perhaps I’ll give everyone food poisoning). The only thing that matters is that I attempt to roll with the punches, take deep breaths, and above all remember what this time is truly about: Family, friends and a little baby in a manger.

Different Strokes

2010-12-21T20:29:00.001-05:00

I wrote on my twitter account (follow me!) the other day that I found it so interesting how people of the same age can be so different and on such different wave lengths. It’s like we all hit the age of, let’s say 20, and boom – we start spiraling in different directions. Lucky for me, my strong relationships with my friends are withstanding our differences, but it still takes work when you’re moving in one direction and your friends are moving in the opposite. This revelation came about when I was facebook stalking (yes, I do that from time to time) a girl who was in many of my English classes. She was super cool, and I saw she had posted pictures from a wedding she attended. The wedding was for two people who were my age: Two 21 year-olds tying the knot. In the next picture someone snapped of this charming girl, she was holding up her own engagement ring-wrapped finger. The guy (who is also 21) she had been dating for 2 years asked her to marry him.

Now here’s where my different people, same age, story comes in. I have not yet attended a friend’s wedding. I have no close friends who have babies (a number of people I graduated with have children now, but no one close to me.) I do have many friends who are in long term relationships, but they keep saying 25, 26…30 will be when they say “I do.” (Many of my friends have also left long term relationships realizing they wanted different things as they grew older.) Now I grant you, maybe if I was in such a relationship, I would be singing a different tune, but the idea of marriage right now literally makes me laugh out loud. I’m 21, soon to be 22. What do I know about life, myself, or the world to be able to make such an important commitment? I need to see Paris first; I need to move to New York City and live in my tiny apartment; I need to be promoted to a full-time job. Perhaps I’m selfish, but I have so many more “me” things to accomplish before I sign up for a “we.” But this is me, and I am not every other woman in the world. People are different. Regions are different. Women of the South marry much younger on average than women of the Northeast (I watched a show once that said if a southern belle was single at 23, her family started to grow concerned.). The national average for women to marry is age 25, so maybe I’m not totally off base with my thinking, but marrying while still in college seems ludicrous to me. I know many people marry after college but even that (23?) seems so young. My parents got married at 28 (and are happily married today) so that could have something to do with my thought process.

I don’t have an end comment to this post, because I will not sit here and judge others for their life choices – There is no right or wrong answer. I have a feeling a few of my friends will be marrying in the next couple of years, but I’m almost certain no one will be attending a Jersey Girl soon to be City Girl wedding for quite sometime. But what do I know? I could pull a Khloe; meet a guy tomorrow and marry him two months later.

New Adventures

2010-12-20T22:22:00.002-05:00

Signed my contract? Check. Hold in my possession four keys of different shapes and sizes? Check. Wrote out a very large check? Um, check. Sounds to me like someone officially lives in Manhattan…or will officially live in Manhattan in 9 short days. Despite the fact that the NY Giants ripped my heart out of my chest yesterday, it definitely was one of the greatest days of my young life simply because I became a NYC renter. I may have to change my blog title: City girl takes on the world? Hmm, might need to think about that some more. But hooray for me! I’m moving. I’m moving. I’m moving. I will have to say that at least 17 more times before I believe it. I purchased a new comforter online today (had no idea until after I fell in love with the dark purple hues that it happens to be the same bedding Bella has in the Twilight movies…and yes, this made me love it even more), my ultimate target run will come early next week and then it’s sayonara Jersey Shore. So Merry, Merry Christmas to me.

I’m excited to write about my adventures discovering my new neighborhood. This is the first time in my life that I will be completely on my own. When I first went to college, the majority of my floor-mates did not know the Columbus area well and so we were all fumbling around together (remember the dark ally anyone? “I’m not scared of anything”). The same thing occurred when my roommates and I moved into our off campus apartment. We ventured out together to see where the good coffee shops, local bars, and easy routes to walk home were located. Now that I’m a grown up (scary, right?), I’m searching for grocery stores within walking distance (Whole Foods is 5 blocks away), new doctors, dentists, dry cleaners, coffee shops (DD is on the corner), banks, and bars (I’m 5 blocks from Columbia, so I’m sure the majority of bars in the area will be “college bars.” Definitely positives and negatives to that – future Ivy League boyfriend, future frat boy puking on the street.) I know I’ll be getting tons of pointers from my awesome future roommate, but it’s good to understand your surroundings and discover all that is around you. I always tell people that I am an expert at “touristy” New York. I can tell you every fun thing to do in Midtown, every museum that must be visited and all the subways that get you to and from Times Square, but the Upper (way upper) West Side is a foreign land to me, so it will take many days of walking in circles and sitting in front of my laptop with Google maps opened to conquer it all. As for now, I know how to run from my front door to Central Park and back; I know where to get my Sunday morning bagel, and I know what train I need to take to get to work…I’m way ahead of the curve.

This Is What Dreams Are Made Of

2010-12-12T11:46:00.003-05:00

Hello friends…It has finally happened. Yesterday I went to view the apartment I told you about in my last post, and I fell in love. It is so perfect for me, and my future roommate is exactly what I was looking for! I think we’ll get along perfectly. The bedroom is huge, the kitchen is roomy and the price is perfect. I thought I was going to have to compromise in many key areas, but my new bedroom is larger than the bedroom I reside in now. Friends will be able to fit nicely on the air mattress I will be purchasing in the next couple of weeks! I couldn’t be more pleased with how everything turned out. I move in around the 29th of December. That is only 2 ½ short weeks away! So now the packing begins. It’s so funny how life can work sometimes. I didn’t want to get my hopes too high while I was waiting to view the apartment. How many people have to view tons of apartments before finding the one? And I just had to look at one….how lucky am I? I’m thrilled beyond belief and I can’t wait to buy my new comforter for my new bedroom ☺

Pictures to come soon!

I'm Moving...Soon!

2010-12-08T21:00:00.002-05:00

I have great news. I finally have decided to search for a living space in New York City. I’m so excited! A relative sent me an email she received from a neighbor saying her cousin’s daughter (does that make sense?) is looking for a roommate. I jumped at the offer, and I’m viewing the place on Saturday. I’m thrilled, ecstatic, jumping for joy, over the moon, dancing in the street. This woman did say she has others viewing the place so I’m trying not to get too excited about possibility living on the Upper West Side (eek!). I’m keeping my fingers crossed and sending up a silent prayer to God that this will all work out. If not, on to the next available place. Ps, this also means I’m officially going to become a New York City blogger – how cliché is that?

I had a small panic attack on the Path ride home yesterday as I started thinking about the possibility of moving out of my childhood home in less than a month. Will I be able to afford it? Will I be happy living with someone I don’t really know? Will I be able to afford it? That question popped up a few times. The one thing I will try my hardest not to do is move back home, so for me, this will be goodbye to my house and Pt. Pleasant unless some unforeseeable event occurs where I have no other option. I’ve been ready to leave the nest for months but now that it’s a reality, I’m a tad scared. My parents completely changed their tune on the whole situation practically overnight – they are all for this move. My thought is that the fight we had this past weekend pushed them over the edge and they are silently kicking me out, but this theory has not been proven. They told me in the car yesterday that people are capable of doing anything they set their minds to (cute, right?), and if I choose to move to NYC, I’ll make it work. I don’t care if I have to work at Macy’s, be a weekend nanny or waitress at nights, I’ll figure out a way to make sure I stay put. I went to sleep last night with all of these thoughts racing around in my head and when I woke up this morning, I felt ready. (It really is true what they say. You should take a night’s sleep before making any major decision in your life. The right answer will be there when you wake up.)

So anyway, there it is. I’m moving to New York in the next couple of months. Depending on how I like this apartment and how the girl living there likes me, it could be January 1st, or I may have to look around a bit more and it could be March 1st, but my apartment search has officially begun and I couldn’t be happier.

To any relatives reading this post who plan to send me a Christmas present: Lots of cash, please. I’ll need it ☺

Oh, Hi out there!

2010-11-30T23:27:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! I’m baaaaccckkkkk ☺ My life as a blogger had been put on hold for the last three months simply because there were not enough hours in the day (and I was secretly frightened I’d get fired for being a blogger. This irrational fear has now left my mind). I have been working as an intern in New York City since September, and the new job is working out wonderfully. I have a cute little cubical on 34th street where I help plan my company’s events. I really enjoy event planning. It’s a field I never really thought about entering before, but it oozes perks. I’m able to travel, work with all levels of executives, and I’m never bored. There is always another event to focus on and so much work to do every day in preparation. I could totally see myself working at this job full time or moving on to another organization with a focus in events. I have so many friends close to tying the knot that I could just become a wedding planner and call it a day.

While working in New York has been a dream of mine since I was a wee little thing, the commute is a challenge all in itself. I do not know how my parents have done this for so many years! I’m searching frantically for a pint size apartment so I can cut my roundtrip commute from four hours down to preferably less than 1 in the next few months. If anyone has questions on commuting into the city, I’m the new queen of the trade. I’ve taken the fifty-five minute train from Metropark (131 off the Garden State Parkway). My dad calls it the “cattle car” because we are rounded up like animals from one location to the next. I then drove into the city for a while (that’s my favorite although traffic on the NJ Turnpike is a big pain.) And today I started my first day as a PATH train commuter from Jersey City. It’s not the worst form of travel, but it was quite crowded until we hit 14th street. Since this will be my mode of transportation for quite some time, I’m going to look at the positives. It’s the cheapest way to travel and it gets me from point A to point B.

In other news, this past holiday weekend I travelled back to Ohio State for the first time since I graduated. I saw my roommates again and was able to watch OSU stomp all over that school up north. I loved being back inside the Shoe; I loved walking on campus and taking in all the familiar sights, and I loved being with my roommates again. I never thought I would miss school as much as I do, and I always knew I would miss my roommates like crazy, but saying goodbye again was so difficult. Parting just makes the next time we see each other that much better, but I wish I lived about five hours closer to them. This distance is no fun. The best part of our reunion was feeling like we had not been apart for three months. That’s what lasting friendships are made of – Coming together after a lengthy period of time and feeling like nothing has changed.

It feels good to be back in blogging mode. Hope you all missed me!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

2010-09-01T22:43:00.003-04:00

The roommates have arrived, and the roommates have left…and I’ve been so busy I haven’t told you about any of it. Since we’ve last written, this Jersey girl has gotten a job in the big, bad city (thank God!), Summer has ended (thank God!), and my roommates finally came to visit (thank God!) Last Wednesday four special girls flew in from Columbus, Detroit and Chicago to spend their weekend at the Jersey Shore. Playing hostess is something I love doing. I love planning, and I love showing people a good time. I may go a tad overboard (I went to five different grocery stores last Tuesday), but I have a blast doing it. My OCD went to work, and by the time I arrived at the airport, I had an entire itinerary printed out and ready to be followed (Seriously…the girls have copies to prove it.)

Wednesday was our “go with the flow” day. I was a tad late to pick up the girls (I’m embarrassed to write how late), the day was gloomy and rainy, and Little E was up at 3:30 am to head to the airport, so we stuck to pizza and a driving tour. I was able to show my roommates all of my hometown hangouts; the schools I attended, the places I ate dinners watching the fireworks, and the small town shops that you can only find in a small beach town. They saw the beach I worked at, and we ended the night by walking the boardwalk. The girls kept calling it a carnival – I loved seeing their reaction to my childhood playground. Thursday was dedicated solely to New York City. No one can come visit me and not receive a quick tour (an 8-hour tour to be precise) of the place that inspires me everyday. New York has made me who I am just as much as the Jersey Shore has. I cannot show one part of me without its partner. We began our tour downtown, worked our way to the village, and made our way to Serendipity by four. They saw it all (Wall Street, Washington Square Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and my new place of employment). I revisited spots I had not seen in some time as well. (Note to future hostesses: You will visit many places that you are too busy to spend time at normally. Take advantage of this opportunity. You never know what you’ll come across in your own hometown). Friday was our relaxing beach day. After two days of early wake-up calls and tons of walking, we were all happy to sleep in and go to breakfast at the local diner. After eggs, we spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach. Friday was the first day I actually enjoyed the beach since my beach job began on June. 20th. I had not been to the beach recreationally all summer! I was in Heaven.

Then Friday evening occurred. Please save all judgments for the end of the post. My roommates informed me before this trip occurred that they wanted to see where the Jersey Shore cast filmed. Let me set the record straight: I don’t travel to Seaside. I wasn’t allowed there as a child (for obvious reasons), and I choose not to travel there as an adult. But even I felt I was missing out on something by not going there once all summer. I decided that my roommates and I would have a fun time at Karma if we were together, and perhaps we would even catch a glimpse of a cast member. Well, Did we ever?! We sat in a half empty club until 12:45 am when all of a sudden a bright light caught my eye…then a camera, another camera, and there was Snooki – all 4’9 of her. JWow traveled in after her, followed by Ronnie and Sammi, more cameras, The Situation (I’m not going to lie, I reached out and touched him). Pauly D and Vinny entered the club last. Three sets of cameras, five roommates, and six guidos/guidettes – It was a hilarious encounter. We wanted one, and got the entire cast. Camera crews would not let us close unless we signed a waver. Only L agreed…she signed two actually. Until our ride came at 3 am, we ran around the club (I was in three inch heels) chasing cameras to see what these “celebs” would do next. I’m not sure if it was the lack of sleep or the bright lights, but I actually enjoyed following these people around with my cell phone camera (flash turned off because of filming!). I’m happy to say I have returned to planet sanity for the time being, and my craving to see the Jersey Shore Cast has been satisfied…for good. But what a night to remember.

Coming off our crazy Friday night, Saturday was low key. We sent N off to Philly to visit her man, the girls enjoyed another beach day, we made s’mores on my stove top (I’m so rustic), watched Coyote Ugly, and passed out. On Sunday, they were all back at LaGuardia airport heading off to their next destinations. As for me, I went home, climbed into sweatpants, crawled into bed at 4 pm to take a quick snooze before the Emmys, and woke up at 7 the next morning. Thanks for wiping me out roomies. I miss you girls already.

And so ended the first annual “BLENK Reunion” at the Jersey Shore.

My How Time Flies

2010-08-11T10:05:00.007-04:00

My baby brother turned 17 today! I cannot believe it. I think I am in more shock right now than my parents are (although mom did cry last night and placed two pacifiers in a cake – yes, Tish really did that. Scott and I were a tad freaked out). In NJ, we receive our driver’s license at 17, and Scottie passed his test this morning. I felt like a middle-aged weeping mother as I ran outside in my running clothes to watch him leave with my car (this could be an issue) for work. I forced him to take the picture you see above. I then proceeded to tell him to drive safe, turn down his music, and watch for pedestrians. Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

Each year that I grow older never seems to phase me. I welcomed the last 21 birthdays with excitement for that next chapter in my life; I can officially drive (17), I can officially drive without a probationary license (18), I can buy cigarettes even though I don’t smoke (19), I am officially no longer a teenager (20), I can drink legally (21!). But when you watch those younger than you grow and hit ages that you remember quite well (they day I took my driving test seems like yesterday. I still remember the outfit I wore to school), it becomes scary. My brother is no longer little; he’s no longer the baby. He’s one year away from adulthood. He drove the car away, and I felt a part of my childhood drive away with him. Where’s that boy who I used to play school with? Where is that kid I taught to swim? I still remember (thanks to countless views of old home movies) the way he used to whine “Katie” when he wanted something. He now debates politics with me, talks about colleges, and comes to me when he has questions about friends and relationships.

I’m very blessed to have the bond I have with my brother – a bond that will hopefully grow even stronger with time. We’ve grown closer as we’ve grown older, and I now think of him as one of my friends. We still bicker like cats and dogs, and I think he secretly wants me to move out as quickly as possible so that he can once again commandeer the downstairs (he also wants a cool place to stay in the city). I picked him up from the airport last night, and we chatted about his trip and his birthday. He was nervous to take the test, and I was nervous for him. But when I woke up this morning, there was the text that shouted “I am now a licensed driver!” The text scared me half out of bed (he actually passed?!), and then a sense of pride washed over me. He did it. That little, slightly annoying, used to be chubby, trumpet player in the school band boy grew up over night….and I never saw it coming.

Happy Birthday Scottie! I love you! xoxo DON’T text and drive!

Healthy Time

2010-08-10T09:21:00.000-04:00

I’m getting back on track. I’m saying goodbye to the processed foods/treats that I have been indulging in all summer, and I’m welcoming fruit, veggies, and grilled chicken back into my life. Yesterday, I went into the city for an interview, and I wore the cutest gray/black dress from Banana Republic. I had bought this dress about a month ago, and while it fit yesterday, it was definitely snug… more snug than when I had purchased it. I decided that summer is ending and so must my poor eating habits. I am very active. I run 3-4 days a week and my job requires me to walk the beach all day long, but unhealthy eating can reverse any good fitness activities you complete during the day. Enough is enough. It’s time to get healthy.

I am no stranger to weight problems. Today I am a healthy size/weight, but that wasn’t always the case. As a child, I was overweight from limited activity and junk food overload. I would switch between a Big Mac and a number 2 (two cheeseburger meal) every time I went to McDonalds, and once I was old enough to stay home by myself in the summer at age twelve, I would start my morning by waking up at noon and eating a large bowl of ice cream. By seventh grade, I was wearing size 13 jeans in the junior’s section when most of my peers were wearing 1’s and 3’s. I’m proud to say that today I am the smallest I have ever been. Okay, maybe I was a tad smaller in the May/June timeframe, but three pounds of excess weight hardly counts as a tragedy. My weight problems have caused years of confidence and self-esteem issues, and I try every day to stay healthy and yet not focus on my body image constantly. It’s a battle.

Instead of telling myself that I must look like Jennifer Aniston before Christmas comes, I instead try to focus on goals I have yet to accomplish and making myself healthy. I was so pleased when I became a runner after so many years of claiming I could never be one. Nothing pleases me more than when I finish my 3-4 mile run and think of how I probably could have kept going. I love that I don’t wheeze or hurt when I work out anymore. I love that I actually want to work out. I have days when my body is literally aching for a run, and I throw on my shoes and go. My love/hate relationship with food is similar. I can tell how my body feels based on what I eat. I have more energy, my skin looks better, and I feel more satisfied when I choose grapes over salty chips and apples over ice cream. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes a girl needs ice cream, but I now put two scoops in a coffee mug and call it a day. No more large bowls with fudge and sprinkles.

I’m proud of myself for what I have accomplished. I know I can always do better, and I still have my days where I get upset with myself for my choices – this is definitely something I need to work on. There is no point in hating yourself because you gave into temptation. Yesterday, I had lunch with my dad in the city and inhaled a plate of fries with my sandwich. I was angry that I ate them, and I felt gross walking around the city in the 90 degree heat with greasy food sitting in my stomach (and I was still wearing my tight dress), but I came home, went for a run, and had a salad with cucumbers and apples for dinner. I can’t go back and change what I did in the past, but I can change the future, and I’m going to really focus on me this fall by running a few races and purchasing blueberries and oatmeal after work for tomorrow’s breakfast.

The Job Search: Lessons Learned

2010-08-09T20:28:00.003-04:00

Happy 8/9/10. If I hadn’t had to fill out tax form after tax form today, I would have never known it was such a cool day digit-wise. My summer employment is ending in less than two weeks, and new employment will hopefully be starting. The summer flew by! It feels like I barely experienced it, but such is the life of a now actual adult. Work has taken the place of childhood playtime. As I am journeying down this road of job applications, interviews, and e-mails, I am learning a lot of lessons. Some things I have done correctly, and a lot of things I have done wrong, but I am hoping to send wisdom to those who have not yet begun this challenging process.

The one thing I wish I had done more of while at school was networked/stayed in touch with former employers. I had no idea how important references were until I started this search. In my short twenty-one years, I have been employed at a number of different places. Some were big companies and others were small local businesses - and I did a fine job at all of them. When it recently became time to get a reference list together, I was sending out frantic e-mails that started with “I hope you remember me!” Thankfully they did, but that's not the way you want to approach references if you have the choice to do it differently. If you leave a job on good terms, no matter how big or small the job, always keep in touch.

At my first job, I worked as a Page in my local library. My supervisor was an awesome guy who I really connected with. He was young, fun, easy going and had the best middle name I had ever heard of – Igby. When I left my job, he stayed around for a little while and then traveled to another state (Wisconsin possibly?) to pursue a better job. I wish I would have kept his contact information on file and e-mailed him from time to time. I was unable to use him as a reference (because I had no idea where he was or how to contact him), and I feel he really could have said some positive things about me since we worked so well together.

I am beginning to network again through people I have met while working my summer job, work colleagues of my parents, and that friend who has a friend who has a friend at such and such a place. I am keeping a log of e-mail addresses, sending notes out often reminding professionals who I am and what I am looking for, and searching for jobs in companies where I know a current employee. I’ve been told time and time again that it is who I know that will get me that coveted job, so I plan on meeting a lot of people in the next few weeks.

Life is all about learning from past mistakes, and I never realized how much knowledge I would gain in such a short period of time. I’m learning how to write effective e-mails; I’m learning how to write cover letters (so many I can’t keep track anymore); I’m learning how to use my time wisely in an interview; I’m learning how to dress. So many great life lessons are coming out of this job search, and I’m actually enjoying the majority of it. All of the potential possibilities keep me excited for what my future holds: A corner office with a view someday would be nice.

Summertime And The Livin' Is Easy...Sort Of

2010-07-27T08:14:00.005-04:00

Good morning readers. I love early summer mornings. I always find that it is easier to wake up for work and other engagements in the summer. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining brightly through my window, and a cool breeze (today at least!) is blowing around outside. Who wants to get out of their toasty warm bed when it’s pitch black outside and there is two feet of snow on the ground? Not me. But I never have a problem ditching the blankets in the summer. If I sleep too late on summer mornings, I feel as if I have wasted my day. There is too much to do in the summer, and sleep just gets in the way. Today is my last day of work before I have a much-anticipated three-day break. I usually only get two days off during the week, but a fellow co-worker needed another day, and I gladly offered up my Friday. I haven’t had three consecutive days off since my summer began. I have a feeling that when Saturday morning comes, I will either be ready and willing to get back to work or one unhappy camper.

Yesterday I went for a run along East Avenue in Bay Head/Mantaloking, NJ. If you run the street end to end and back again, the distance is 3.4 miles. When I finished my run, I had virtually zero knee pain. I woke up this morning with a little aching, but nothing compared to the “I can’t walk to class” – debilitating pain I felt in June. I’m not quite sure, but I think I ran a little differently last night, which may have helped. I was so relieved to learn that I could easily complete a 5K with little pain. Running races, as I’ve stated in previous posts, is my new goal this summer/fall, and I was a little worried that I would have to give up the dream of crossing a finish line and revert back to the elliptical for the rest of my days. After last night, however, I’m certain that I can slowly start training for longer races.

Running is how I deal with stress. I think I’m one of the few people in the world who actually enjoys working out, simply because I feel so much negative energy leave my body as I huff and puff down the road. Last night, I didn’t care about anything else but sweating out all of my worries and anticipations about the future. The job searching is turning out to be a much longer process than I thought it would be. Can you believe I almost didn’t return to my summer job because I was positive I would only be working there two or three weeks? Well, six weeks later and I’m still here. There is nothing wrong with working my summer job. After all, I get to go to the beach four-five days a week. But I’ve started buying the apparel for work. The pencil skirts are hanging in my closet, the dresses are wrinkle-free and ready to wear, and my heels are placed nicely in shoeboxes. They all want to be worn so badly. My degree wants to be put to use. My mind wants to do something that requires mental capabilities. I’m going to keep waiting patiently because I know it’s all going to work out; it has to, but I’m slowly becoming restless. I know I could be quite good at any job that comes my way (except maybe accounting…I would not be good at that.) I just want to begin proving myself, and that is hard to do when I’m sitting at home waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Until the happy day comes where I get the news that I have a starting date, which I hope is soon because I will be unemployed in four short weeks, I’m going to enjoy my days on the beach, send up a daily prayer to God, and run as much as possible.

Decisions, Decisions...

2010-07-24T11:13:00.003-04:00

High of 97. Heat Index feels like 110. Awesome. Working at the beach during this hot summer has not been a breeze (ha), but today of all days, I was able to secure myself a day off. Thank God. Today may have been the day that I finally fainted at work (my second biggest work fear. My first is being saved from drowning by the lifeguards). During these heat waves (I feel like there have been ten already…or is it just one continuous wave with a few 80-degree days thrown in there?), plenty of vitamin waters have been provided, ice has been used to cool down body temperatures, and gallons of water have been added to the water cooler, and yet, I’m still grateful that I have a day off. The heat and I are not friends. I want nothing more than for fall to start showing its colors. Summer no longer consists of childhood make believe, water parks, and pool parties. Instead, Summer is hot, and we need to work – It can be over now.

I made a decision today on my day off to not leave the house. There is plenty I can be doing here. I still have yet to secure a “real” job. My summer employment ends in a little over a month, and I have nothing lined up. It’s a scary thought to think I could potentially be unemployed in the beginning of the fall (or longer!). I have plans that need to start occurring. I need (it’s no longer just a simple desire) to move to New York, and I need a job for that to happen. Or do I? I’ve been reading a lot lately about New York success stories. I just finished Kelly Cutrone’s book “If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You.” It was eye opening in so many ways, but the number one thing Kelly taught me is that if you want something, go for it. Kelly moved to New York with two thousand bucks in her pocket and a car filled with clothes. She went on to become one of the biggest names in fashion P.R. Now, I’m well aware that life is not always fair, and stories such as Kelly’s are rare, but if I’m going to work in New York, and try to move my way up through the corporate chain, shouldn’t I be living in New York, not Pt. Pleasant, NJ?

Obviously, this still means I need to sign on the dotted line to begin work at that first job, but so many entry-level positions require that you be at work till the late, late hours. My parents have done the dreaded commute from my town to New York for years, but I think it takes a special person to travel all those hours throughout the week. I’m not searching for a 9-5 job. I know the positions I’m looking at will want me there at 8am, and I won’t be seeing the end of my day till 8, 9 or even 10 pm. That’s the life of an assistant, and I’m willing to put in my time for the reward of being promoted. How am I to do all that and live at the Jersey Shore? I also feel searching for jobs could potentially be easier living in NY. When employers know you are close enough to travel to work/interviews on a moment’s notice, is your chance of being hired greater? I guess I’m searching for advice from my readers once again. Do I start communicating with family friends and relatives who live in the city/ searching roommate websites to see what’s available to me, or do I wait it out and move to the city come winter after I’ve saved some money. I’m feeling risky because life is all about taking chances, but what do you all think?

PS To all my east coast readers…keep cool today!

My Hair Has Other Plans...

2010-07-17T15:40:00.006-04:00

I have a wedding to get to, and my hair wants to crawl into bed. How do I fix this?! Countless magazines tell me that my hair is supposed to be bleached by the sun, wavy from the ocean water, and soft to the touch. I’m really not sure what I’m doing wrong. I have thick, colored from time-to-time, red hair that does not like to be straightened or curled. It is so fickle! My hair wants to be what I call “a lion’s mane.” It wants to air dry after a shower, grow four times normal size, and do nothing. I straighten my hair most of the time, and by the end of the night, there is so much “wave” occurring around my face that it goes into a pony tail two hours in. I'm beginning to believe my hair has a life of its own. A pony tail is equivalent to my bed...and that's where my hair wants to be at all times!

Tonight, I’m not having a straight problem, but a curl problem (See above photo!). My hair is not only thick, but long as well, and this presents the “cannot hold a curl” problem. I am attending a wedding on the beach (goodbye sexy hair!), and I thought curling my hair would be something different. Two hours before the wedding and my curls are disappearing before my eyes and turning into lumps of hair. There is no definition, zero style, and I now am pondering why I wasted my hour with two different barrel size curling irons and a straightener. I would love some of my beauty gurus out there – N, I’m talking to you! – to inform me of what I can do to get Taylor Swift curls. Loads of hairspray was used in the process, but there has to be something else. Any advice would be awesome.

It’s a shame I’m having these hair malfunctions, because I love weddings. I’m not quite at the age yet where weddings make me depressed, cynical, and angry because I was seated at the singles table. Give me another five years and I may have another opinion, but for now, weddings are a blast. I love seeing two people commit to one another in front of all of their friends and family, and an open bar is a great, added perk. I have never attended a beach wedding before. I have seen a few of them at work before, but I have never sat there and watched vows be exchanged in front of the ocean. I’m sure it will be a lovely event. I believe if people are going to have summer weddings, the beach is the only setting tolerable. Why else would you risk 93-degree weather (check!), 100% humidity (check!), and sunburns? There should at least be a pretty ocean view available to those attending July weddings. I promise all my friends and family: If I ever get married, and it happens to be in the summer, it will be located on the sand in front of the ocean. As for tonight, I’m hoping tons of make-up, more hairspray, and a little magic will help me look presentable in the next hour. Wish me luck! And I hope all of you have a fun Saturday night.

One Step At A Time

2010-07-17T00:45:00.006-04:00

The heat waves in the tri-state area have left me searching for pools and air conditioned houses for weeks now. I did, however, brave the heat today to make a very special and necessary purchase…new running shoes! That’s right, this Jersey girl is out to conquer the world by running some of the way. Thanks to some friends on twitter and a little online searching, I have found numerous running blogs and websites for running in the NJ area. My favorite blog is here – thank you Lucy for tweeting about it one random day! They have so many wonderful entries about running, gyms, and everything else. I’m obsessed! I also found this site on races in NJ. There are so many I want to sign up for, and I’m excited to start filling out my applications. Running an actual race will be an entirely new experience for me...Actually, I never have counted my distance while running before. My running usually consists of minutes. 30 minutes on slow days, 45 minutes when I’m feeling extra energetic, but I haven’t counted the miles on those runs. I assume from treadmill running that I run about 3-4 miles in those 30-45 minutes, but that’s a guess.

I’m excited to run a 5K. I feel that is a race that I can easily finish, and I love new challenges. 3.1 miles should not be too difficult for me, and I feel all of the other runners will push me to improve my time. Others have told me that nothing is better than finishing the race and knowing you accomplished your goal. I’m excited to experience that feeling in the near future. I’m discovering that races are a great way to stick with running. You are working toward something, and most of the time the races are done for charity organizations, so you are working hard for a wonderful cause as well. I’ll stick with my 5K’s for now, and maybe, if my legs stay attached to my body, some bigger races can be in my future...NYC Marathon anyone - A girl can dream right?

As for the shoes – I’m very proud of my purchase (See above photo). After following a friend’s advice, I drove myself out to the Tinton Falls Outlets in search of the Nike Store. I tried on a few pairs of shoes, and fell in love with the Air Citius II model in blue /dark grey. They are beautiful and a real pair of running shoes. The best part of the purchase is that the Outlets are cheaper so I bought them discounted! I ran in them tonight, and because I’m so lucky, it began to pour on my new shoes and I, so I was unable to experience a complete run. I’m excited to try again tomorrow morning (early tomorrow morning to beat the heat!). The shoes feel extremely light on my feet and give great support…I hope we will have a very lovely year together until I wear them into the ground like I did my last pair.

With all of this heat, it is difficult to stay cool. Running certainly doesn’t help, but it does make me feel energized, healthy, and it's great for my mental outlook on life, and that’s what I focus on when I'm wheezing, sweating, huffing and puffing. I have attempted to cheat the heat a little bit by running early in the am, late in the pm, and drinking lots and lots of fluids, but the most important thing for me is that I get out there as often as possible and hit the pavement. I want to be a legit runner, and running a little better each day will help me accomplish that goal. And my new shoes certainly keep me motivated - a big plus!

Oops, I Did It Again...

2010-07-13T08:54:00.003-04:00

We’ve all done it – said something inappropriate to other people without thinking, sometimes hurting others inadvertently along the way. I’m the queen on sticking my foot in my mouth. I try hard to play in my head what my words will sound like once they come out through my lips, but too often they just flow out into the air in a steady stream of "She did not just say that." Sometimes, I realize right away what I have done, and other times it takes someone telling me my words hurt them to understand the extent of my perpetual need to state every single thing that flashes through my mind. Why are some of us so prone to word vomit? Are we just more opinionated or more stupid?

Yesterday, I ran into a former classmate who I hadn’t seen in years. He was with a young woman who looked very much like his former girlfriend who I also have not seen in years. I’m usually so good at not stating names if I’m not sure, but boy was I sure. There was no need to stop and say hi (I'm actually still holding onto a glimmer of hope that he did not recognize me), but the social girl inside of me could not help herself. The conversation went a little like this. Me speaking to former classmate’s friend: “Hi (name of ex-girlfriend). Former classmate: “That’s not (name of ex-girlfriend). Girl: “I’m not (name of ex-girlfriend). Me: “Oh I’m sorry, you look just like her (eep!). Both the girl and former classmate stare at me like I’m crazy. I state: “Well that was awkward. See you later.” And I walked away. No joke. This conversation really occurred. B (who hates awkward situations a million times more than I do (and I hate them) would have died if she had been present. By trying to fix the situation, I obviously made it worse. Who tells the new girlfriend she looks like the old girlfriend (even though she really did!)? I didn’t even realize what I was saying until the words came out. I spent the rest of my workday avoiding the two of them like the plague.

That has to be the worse case of speaking without thinking I have ever committed, and I’m curious to know if you have any good stories. I feel like my roommate L may have a few winners. I laughed off yesterday pretty well, because at the end of the day, I made a mistake – we all do that, but I would be upset to find out that I offended this young lady. Who wants to hear they look like the old girlfriend? Hurting her was, of course, never my intention, but it very well may have happened. I can’t tell you how many times I have blurted out words without thinking and offended others along the way. I also can’t tell you how many times others have blurted out words and offended me. I guess my open-ended question of the day is, “Should we censor ourselves?” I want to say no because I tend to believe that we should encourage everyone to speak what’s on his or her mind (I write a blog after all), but in reality, if we don’t censor what we say, people will get hurt (even if the statement is true). I have the friends who tell it like it is at all times, and I have the friends who never tell you the truth, because they fear hurting others. I’d say the former is more helpful. In a month, this former classmate will not recall what I said at work (hopefully!), and I’ll try harder to obey that age-old lesson of thinking before speaking. I’m also going to try to laugh things off more when people blurt out words to me…we are all human after all, and mistakes like these help us grow.

Beat The Heat!

2010-07-09T16:34:00.001-04:00

The heat wave has finally (sort of) passed! I didn’t think we’d make it there for a little while. It’s tough working on the beach when the temperature hits 104 degrees with 100% humidity. You know it’s bad when people don’t come to the beach because it is just too hot. We all spent our time in the ocean, under umbrellas, and consuming tons and tons of liquids. I did not pass out, so a successful workweek was had.

I had off of work on Tuesday and went up to New York to spend the day with my favorite Akron-located roommate (see how I did that ☺). Of course, Tuesday ended up being the hottest day of the week (record breaking actually). B and I decided to play a game – how much fun can we have in NYC without stepping foot outside? It ended up being a blast. Too often when I’m in New York, I feel like I’m wasting time inside. There are so many sights to see just walking around, and going inside a store feels like a wasted trip. On Tuesday, B and I had so much fun taking our time walking around high air-conditioned locations. We began our day by meeting at 30 Rock. I can’t even begin to tell you how envious I am that B’s sister T gets to work in such a fun building. B and I drank coffee, watched all the fabulously dressed workers walk by, and discussed how much our lives had changed since we last saw each other (3 whole weeks ago!) We left the building and took our first cab (there would be two more cab rides that day) to the Museum of Natural History. We spent the first 30 minutes searching for a bathroom…no joke. We were laughing the entire time about how silly we were (who can’t find a bathroom?!). We then saw everything! The African exhibits, the Asian exhibits, the Native American exhibit (6 times!), the elephants, the big whale, the deer, we had lunch in the food court because traveling outside for food was not an option, we saw rocks (and we watched a man give a tour about volcano ash that became rocks – B could have given that tour). We saw gems, a big boat, and the evolution room, and then decided it was time to move on.

We stood outside the museum for two minutes before we realized we would bake if we didn’t find cool air. We hopped in a cab and drove down to Columbus Circle. I had been in The Shops at Columbus Circle, which is this mall-like building with fun stores inside, before, so I thought that would be fun to try. We went to J-Crew, Bebe, and Sephora, and agreed that the shops were a fun place to stay cool. B had the woman at Sephora do her make-up (she looked fab!), and I bought more nail polish (it’s becoming a problem). The large glass windows overlooking Columbus Circle allowed us to feel like we were still in New York, but we didn’t have to suffer through the horrible weather – win/win.

A favorite place of mine has always been Serendipity on the Upper East Side. You can get the best ice cream there, and on a hot day such as Tuesday, ice cream was a must! B and I sat at our cute little table and ordered two frozen hot chocolates. They were so yummy and were exactly what we needed after an afternoon of shopping. When I asked B later what her favorite part of the day was, she said Serendipity – I was so happy she liked it!

After Serendipity, we decided to do more shopping…why not right? I bought adorable flip-flops at Aldo, B and I found awesome sales at H&M, we walked through Steve Madden, Victoria’s Secret, and the Gap. It was such a great way to just catch up and spend time with one of my favorite people – she also has totally caught the NYC bug. If T and I work hard enough, I bet you we may have a little New Yorker coming out here next summer. After our fun, yet exhausting day, B and I made our way back to 30 Rock to wait for T. Unfortunately, I had to catch my ferry home and was unable to see her after her first day, but I’m sure we will have many more chances to catch up. I hugged my little roommate goodbye, and I won’t be seeing her again until late August when the whole gang comes out to visit, but it was so great knowing that she will be coming out often over the years. Thanks T for moving back to NY. I have a feeling I will be seeing lots of B over the year!

And that, my friends, is how you beat the heat in New York.

I Want To Be An American Idiot

2010-07-01T09:36:00.005-04:00

Yesterday M and I ventured into Manhattan. I love going into New York as much as possible. Work sometimes makes it difficult, but if I can get there once a week, I’m usually a happy girl. There is always one Broadway show that I’m dying to see. This past winter it was Hair, and you all so my post on how that changed my life. When I heard that Green Day was producing a show based off of their American Idiot album and John Gallagher Jr, who won a Tony award for his portrayal of Moritz in Spring Awakening, was starring as the main rebel with a cause, I knew I had to see him rock out once again. American Idiot opened on my birthday, 4/20, which is not too surprising for a show about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, but I took it as a sign.

Our train arrived in the city at 11 am, and I forced M to run the streets of New York so we could get in line at the TKTS stand in Times Square. I recommend using TKTS whenever you are flexible. The tickets are cheaper, and they usually give you decent seats (You need to have other shows in mind, however, in case your show sells out before you get to the booth.) After waiting an hour in line, I finally had two tickets in my hand (and they were 50% off!). Being able to breathe once again (I really wanted to see this show), we had a quick lunch and went on our way to 44th St.

The Theatre District is one of my all time favorite Manhattan locations. Sometimes I zig zag between the streets just to take a look at what is playing where. All the marquees for the different shows remind me of how much talent is hiding behind every stage door and how many wonderful shows I still need to see. My playbill wall is becoming covered, but not nearly covered enough. The best part about being home once again is that now I have the money and the time (until each show closes) to see as many shows as possible. How lucky am I?

When we arrived at the St. James Theatre, M and I stood in line with all the other “Idiots” waiting to enter. The great thing about a show such as American Idiot is that it literally brings every sort of person together. The “punk” crowd was strongly represented at this show…it is all Green Day music after all. The one thing I wish I had done differently was thought more carefully about my clothing choices. My Abercrombie and Fitch ensemble was not cutting it next to the girl with the pink, machine-gun covered dress or the girl with the red and black striped stockings. But hey, that’s the beauty of theater. Not many shows could merge preppy with punk and help us forge a “love for American Idiot” bond.

The actual show was everything I hoped it would be and more. The musical has about ten minutes of dialogue. Everything you need to know is in the music, and it was great to see the numbers performed as a storyline. I knew all the songs already, but seeing them acted out was an incredible experience. From the moment "Don't want to be an American Idiot" was sung to the end when they had their "Homecoming," each character gave their all, and my eyes never left the stage. I think I turned to M once and said, "that's Lea Michele's boyfriend!"...but that was all the chatting we did. I also love how there is no intermission. Just an hour and a half of pure magic on stage. Johnny (John Gallagher Jr) was such a dimensional character, and I connected with him on so many levels. Whatsername is the woman I want to be. She was fierce, fun, and caring – Every character was important, and I was never sure who I should be watching since they all were doing their own thing. It was truly a great show, and if you’re a Green Day fan, I highly recommend. I will be seeing it again soon, and next time I will be wearing black.

In My Own Little Corner

2010-06-28T23:11:00.004-04:00

How to make a day off productive. That’s what I should have titled this blog post. Yesterday was my first day off in 7 days, and I had no car to run errands with. Instead of vegging on the couch watching True Blood (which I probably would have done had my netflix arrived), I decided to make my bedroom my own. As I mentioned yesterday, living at home has been an adjustment. Part of that adjustment was leaving a room in Columbus that was mine in every way. Every item I owned had a place, and my room was rarely as messy as it has been these last few days. I realized the problem was that my bedroom in Jersey was my mom’s creation (and she did a beautiful job!). But the room was just that…beautiful. It was not hip or current in any way. Pictures were hanging on the wall of country paintings, a beautiful chair from our dining room set sat in the corner, and boxes upon boxes of my “crap” were placed along the wall. There was nothing in the room (besides my clothes on the floor) that said a person of substance or creativity lived in it. I decided at 11 am yesterday morning that this portrayal of me had to change.

By 6pm, the room was complete. The paintings left the walls and were replaced by a Beatles poster, photos of New York, and a big bulletin board. The boxes along the wall were unpacked and replaced with my desk from school, and every item found its own home. Three bags of garbage later, countless pieces of tape, and enough hammering to send the cat running out the door, my room finally looks like me. It is now the place I want to spend time, and the mess is gone. Clothes are no longer stacked on the big chair…they are in drawers. My walls are now covered with pictures of my friends, family, and memories. My “playbill” wall is right above my desk, and I’m able to stare at Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff’s signatures as I write about my happenings.

My favorite addition to my room is definitely my desk – The desk my mother wanted to leave on the side of the curb in Columbus. It is placed directly under my windowsill, and my computer now has a perfect place to rest at night. Whenever I type, I feel professional. Not gonna lie, I also feel sort of like Carrie Bradshaw...yes the fictional character (technically she was based off of a real human being, so that has to give me some points for wanting to be her in every way). She would glance out her window as she wrote her column, and I only hope I will be lucky enough to someday get paid for sitting here, staring at this view, and typing. The sun is out, the birds are visiting, and cars are driving by. An entire world is happening right outside my window. I picked a great place to gain inspiration for my writing endeavors. Work at the beach begins soon, and I’m finally excited to come home to my sanctuary…the one place in this house that is mine and only mine. I found one important key to my happiness yesterday when I began unpacking those bin. This room reflects who I am, my hopes and my dreams. I would say that’s one productive day off.

Back Home Again

2010-06-28T10:22:00.004-04:00

Hello blogging world. It has been two weeks and one day since I graduated college, and I’m sorry for being M.I.A. Life became extremely hectic from the moment I stepped my foot into our over packed (squished like sardines over packed) Sequoia in Columbus until about 8 hours ago when I went to bed. Since I’ve been home, I’ve gotten my hair done (it looks fabulous as it should for what I pay for it!), frequented the Jersey Shore bars (some I’ve loved, some I’ve hated), laid on the beach, been to New York City, celebrated my friends turning 21, started my beach job, been to the hospital for a severe allergic reaction (on my first day of work no less), hated my beach job (and thought of ways to quit), and had my first morning off – enjoying the latter as I type with tea and air conditioning.

So as you can see, I’ve been a little crazy. Living back at home has been a mixed bag of ups and downs. I love my town, summer is wonderful, and I love my family and seeing them more everyday. However, there are still lots of changes that I have to get used to. When I lived at school, I only had to worry about myself (and my roommates of course!) I bought food at the grocery store just for me, I went to bed when I wanted, I came home from a party when I wanted, and I got myself to class or other engagements when I needed. Last week I was attending my friend’s 21st birthday party and received a text from my dad at 11:30 pm that stated, “Get home soon. You have work in the morning.” I replied with, “I beg your pardon?!” I am well aware that the couch I am typing this post on is my parent’s couch located in my parent’s house. I have to follow their rules, and I accept those conditions. But I did just graduate college…right? 11:30 on a Friday night is too late? Things were a little different in Columbus. Living at home again – especially living at home into the fall season – is going to take some compromises. My brother and I got in a fight the other night because he was watching TV in the room that is right outside my bedroom till 3 am. I had work in the morning and was not in the mood to hear “Avatar.” Adjustments are happening for all of us. Mom’s eating my newly bought turkey, my brother is leaving lights and TV’s on at un-godly hours, and dad is worried about me riding my bike three blocks away from my house at midnight. And you wonder why I haven’t been blogging?

For as common as it is for adults to move back home after college to save money, I don’t read or hear about these problems often. Perhaps I’m searching in the wrong place or these issues are so common, no one thinks them interesting enough to write about, but I would love to hear how others are dealing with living at home after being independent for so long. At the end of the day I’m very lucky. I don’t pay rent or grocery bills unless I go food shopping on my own, and I get to use the car when my parents are not using it. I do help out often with my brother, gas payments, cleaning, and I’m working my butt off right now all day at the beach and all night babysitting. My family and I are trying to make this an equal partnership as much as we can. How do all of you handle living at home? Is it easy; does it take work; do you miss being more independent? The one thing I miss the most is the quiet. My apartment in Ohio was a very chill place to live, and this morning was the first morning I had to myself in fifteen days. I’m enjoying every moment of it.

See you tomorrow friends

Until We Meet Again Ohio State

2010-06-11T11:13:00.002-04:00

Well, it’s just about over. I went on my senior bar crawl last night, and it was interesting to say the least. I never knew so many people existed! Today it is graduation practice, my best friend is flying in this afternoon, my family is driving out as we speak, and I still have to have one final night out with my roommates. This entire weekend is going to end up being the biggest whirlwind of my life, and I’m going to be loving every second of it. Last night before we crawled, my roommates gave me a surprise present. It was a picture frame of the five of us from a day last fall when we were all wearing our OSU jerseys and looking really skinning. It was engraved with BLENK on it, and I will cherish it forever. How did I get so lucky?

I said goodbye to my roommates the other day and realized that I should have one final goodbye post to everything I loved about college and what I’m going to miss. I’m going to start with the five most important guys in my life at OSU – The Browders. We met our neighbors on a not so special September morning, and they ended up being our best friends at OSU. These guys are seriously the best, and I pity anyone who does not have at least one of them in their lives. It’s not as easy to break down initials w/ the neighbors so their real identities will be revealed. These guys have taught me about Celina, party buses, Fifa, the NBA, drinking games, food places, John Deere Green, and Ugly Hour. Some of my best times have been with these neighbs. We held our Halloween party 08’ at their house, and that was an epic event. We’ve played intramural softball together, and they tried to be as kind as possible towards me for my inability to not suck. We’ve had big dance parties around their house - Some of my finest moments. You five have been the nicest neighbors, and more importantly friends, a girl could have, and I’m really going to miss you guys. Bergy – be safe in Europe, Turk – I’ll see you in NY, Gaber – I had fun crawling with you! I’m coming to visit Celina in the fall!, Zak – have fun turning 21!, Zane – Let’s hang out in Hilliard. I’m really going to miss you guys. Thanks for letting me sleep on your floor.

-Stradley 9 will always be in my heart.
-Denney Hall – you’ve been good to me.
-The Oval
-Ugly Tuna
-Applebees
-UDF
-The Gateway
-High Street
-OSU Football games in the Shoe
-JO
-Downtown
-The Short North
-Runs through Victorian Village
-Bob Evans Breakfasts
-E’s Car
-Kroger (the nice one)
-The Best Dame Band in the Land
-The Best people a girl could know.

My next post will probably be after all of this madness, and I will be snug in my bed in NJ, so I just want to say goodbye Ohio State. You’ve given me the best three years of my life. I have wonderful friends to cherish forever, wonderful memories that will last a lifetime, and oh yea…a pretty good education. To leave on a good note, here is the chorus of the OAR song Road Outside Columbus – a song about OSU.

“Surprise, surprise. I traveled here.
Four hundred miles from where I'm known.
My friends are here. A couple years I've spent.
I found I have a second home.”

Goodbye Ohio. <3

Thank You For Being A Friend: N

2010-06-08T23:47:00.006-04:00

And then there was one. I have cried so many tears and it is only Wednesday. Tomorrow I have my last final. I’m a college student for less than 24 more hours, and this is turning out to be so much harder than I thought it would be. I started off excited because I kept thinking of how cool it would be to have my diploma and to be near the ocean again. Then I realized that nothing compares to true friendship and a life here in Columbus where I call home. This is gonna be rough.

My last roommate I have to say “till we meet again” to is N. There were two things that caused me to know who N was before I even met her - her middle name and her facebook profile picture from freshman year. I had done my own little facebook stalking (a la LH), and saw that her middle name was “Dare.” I didn’t believe it was her real middle name until we met, because no one has that cool of a name. Turns out it was, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. She is in my phone as “N Dare” and when I chat about her to my family, I tell them it really is her middle name. Her middle name ended up telling me a lot about who N is as a person. I consider N to be both unique and fearless. N is our trendy roommate. She’s our artist, and the one I go to for all artistic, make-up, hair, and nail polish advice. If N wasn’t smaller and more in shape than I am, I would probably steal her clothes on a daily basis in hopes that I could pull them off. N is one of the people in my life I admire most. I watch all she does everyday, and I sit in awe. This girl had been involved in so many Ohio State organizations (the ones that are really hard to get into!), and has been a strong leader in all of them, held a job in admissions, worked her way into the Art Ed program, and will continue to get her Masters after she graduates next year. When people ask me the one thing I wish I did more of in college, my answer is always “I wish I did what my roommate N did.” When I toured OSU, my mom asked me to get involved with the Student Alumni Council. She thought they looked like such a great organization. My freshman year, I was able to tell her that I had a SAC experience – N had been accepted into their organization, and the leaders had come to her dorm room, while I was there, to congratulate her. Mom was so proud!

The thing I love most about N is that she never tries to be anyone other than herself. You may see this as a trend with my roommates, but it’s true for all of them. I’m probably the only one in the house that attempts to be more like each of them everyday. I respect N so much because of everything she does for this university. She never followed the crowd, and yet has never acted like she was above everybody else for doing meaningful work. Recently, she discussed dropping one of her extracurricular activities because she wasn’t finding it enjoyable anymore, and I told her to stick it out until she graduated. Her response was, “I don’t think I should stick with something I’m not emotionally involved in just to put it on my resume.” My respect level for her grew even higher. Everything she participates in, she does because she believes in it. She may wake up at 6 am to sit outside and greet incoming freshman, and she may clean up trash for volunteer work, but she does it because the organization and work makes her happy. I find that so admirable. More people should try to be like N.

Now I mentioned that the other thing about N that struck me was her profile picture and here’s why. The picture was of her standing with the assistant drum major of Ohio State at the time. When we moved into the dorm, I found out that this drum major was no stranger, but her boyfriend. That’s right, my roommate is dating a celebrity. So if you know me and you’re not from the Columbus area, you’ve probably heard me say, “I wish I would have been more like my roommate N, you know the one with the awesome middle name…oh did I mention she’s dating the drum major?!” So thank you N for giving me such awesome conversational topics for when I’m home during football season.

I’m really going to miss my artsy roommate. She created the most beautiful painting of the New York skyline on my graduation cap, and I will treasure it forever. She has introduced me to The Real Housewives series, the Twilight series, and Papa Boos (on Buckeye Lake). She has taught me how to use eyelash curlers and how to pose for professional photos (she’s an awesome photographer, and if I ever get married, I know who will be taking my pictures). N was in a serious car crash in September, and thank God she was okay, but I’ll never forget how scared I was when I received B’s phone call. Stuff like that doesn’t happen to those you love, and I saw the extent of my love for N when I realized I was holding her hand and didn’t want to let go…ever. That was one of the scariest moments of my life, and I realized how BLENK had become my other family. N is and will always be my sister – the sister I try to emulate – and the sister I learn so much from everyday. Thank you for teaching me so many life lessons (even though you may not have known you've done so), and for always putting me in my place. Your honesty and genuine kindness has made me a better person. Keep shining as brightly as you do N, and know that “Big Red” will be missing you from NJ. I love you N Dare!

Thank You For Being A Friend: E

2010-06-07T22:34:00.007-04:00

I have one final to go until I'm finished with college, and it is now time to say “See ya” to another roommate. This has been a very fun and sad experience. I love remembering all of the wonderful things about my roommates, but I hate knowing that these college times are just about over. It is now time for E to get her post – she’s been waiting all week!

I am happy and proud to say that I knew E before everyone else got the chance to know her. I actually didn’t know she existed until about mid-October of freshman year. E was the quiet one (I say “was” because that all changed last year). I remember sitting on the hallway floor after the Wisconsin/Ohio State game (I would later learn that E was obsessed with Wisconsin), and I thought she was visiting someone on our floor. It wasn’t until we were talking with everyone else that I discovered that she was actually a floormate. I soon discovered that E loved movies and the show Friends as much as I did. We went to several movies throughout the year – that was our thing. One time I made her wait on Neil Ave. for a bus to take us to the theatre for a good hour. The bus never came, and we ended up walking, but I learned a lot about her during that hour. We had quite a lot in common, and I saw that she was really a very fun person to be around. L, B, N and I discovered we needed a fifth roommate to make our house complete in January, and they asked me if I knew of anyone. They didn’t know E that well, but I thought we should ask her to live with us. They all agreed, and I’m pretty certain the reason my roommates like me is because I brought E into our lives. She’s bubbly, kind, real in every way, and she never turns me down when I want to go get ice cream – a true friend.

When we moved into our apartment two years ago, E and I shared a floor. We will be "third floor roommates" for life. We became even closer when we became the “dream team” of beer pong (we’re really not that good, but I pretend). I love that I can knock on her bedroom wall and she will respond, I love that when I want to go out, she’ll gladly lead the way (and she’s probably my favorite “had a little too much Sailor Jerrys” person ever). I love that when I want to stay in and watch Sex and the City, she will join, I love that when I want to see Night at the Museum 2 in theatres, she’ll be there, I love that we both love Lord of the Rings, all things vampires, and pro football (even if she is a Packers fan). I remember sitting on the couch watching the musical “Newsies” with Christian Bale, and I put on the sing-a-long version. E and I sang along, and I have never laughed harder, in perhaps my whole life, than when E sang the soprano part.

If that wasn’t enough awesomeness in one roommate, E is also a great runner, and I’m a not-so-great runner. She pushed me this past September to run with her on her special trail in Columbus. I workout best when I have a partner, and E is the best running partner a girl could have. We run at a similar pace (unless she’s slowing down for me and doesn’t want to make me feel bad), and she pushes me to be better – in running and in life. I love that E has a family Christmas picture of the Clintons from their years in the White House taped to our fridge, I love that E was Quailman for Halloween – she’s always been the original one. I love that we get enjoyment out of our grocery store runs or red mango trips. I'm so happy E brought J into our lives - I have named us the three musketeers of the third floor. I will miss the downtime spent together, I will miss Jessica Anne Gelber, I will miss yelling "Southview" at parties (I have a feeling my friends won't get it). I really have no idea what I'm going to do without saying goodnight to her almost every night. I get depressed enough when she goes home for a weekend and I'm the only one roaming our little hallway. You're telling me I have to live without her as my roommate for the rest of my life? I don't think this will be possible. I'm gonna miss the talks, I'm gonna miss digging her car out of the ice at midnight with my little cousins, I'm gonna miss baking with her, I'm gonna miss sharing a shelf with her in the fridge and stealing her chips from time to time (surprise!). I'm gonna miss sitting on her bed (sometimes when J is sitting on it as well...snuggle time!), I'm gonna miss waking her up from naps, I'm gonna miss watching football games with her (I'm really gonna miss seeing her throw things when the Packers lose), I'm gonna miss seeing Rigby on her computer background, I'm gonna miss chatting about Sylvania, I'm gonna miss you E...so so much. You have touched my heart in numerous ways, and I will always remember our times together. Let's make more memories this summer when you are Jersey Shorified! Love you Big Pimpin!

Thank You For Being A Friend: L

2010-06-07T15:44:00.011-04:00

I’ve hit the five-hour mark at Panera Bread studying my life away, and I thought a break was needed. What better thing to do during a break than to tell you all about my little roommate L. Yesterday, I said my sad “See you later” to B, and following in BLENK order – L is next. Brace yourselves.

L is one of the few people I remember meeting on day one of moving into the dorms. She was sitting on her dorm room floor with her “banging brunette” shirt on and stood up to say hi. The first words out of her mouth were “You’re Kate Ferguson right? I remember from facebook.” Now, I hadn’t been a part of the facebook world for too long then, and this comment immediately placed L under creeper status for the next several days. Fortunately for me, I learned that L was so much more than just an online stalker. L has always been the “life of the party” roommate. She is one of the most social people I know and loves to have a good time. This has been helpful the last three years, because I always know that if I want to enjoy myself on a Saturday night, L is the one to go out with. L was always moving freshman year, and she was up for anything. We we’re the only girls on our floor to get basketball tickets, and we only went to one game – the UNC game. We waited outside in the cold for hours to get prime seats. That game was a blast. We had a class together in the fall of freshman year and ate at Kennedy Commons’ breakfast buffet every Tuesday morning, and then moved to Baker – both places had awesome tots. I remember the day L and I went to eat at Kennedy for lunch, and she asked me if I wanted to rent an apartment with her, B, and N the following year – I remember being so happy because I really loved spending time with them. What a good decision that ended up being. L is a genuine friend in every way. She takes care of those close to her, and I have benefited from that kindness. At the end of freshman year, someone who shall be nameless tore a name sign I had made off my bedroom door. I felt the event was unsettling and an unnecessary violent action. The next day, L sat in her room and took the time to create a new sign (colored with markers and all the trimmings). That sign is still hanging in my room two years later. This act of friendship solidified my belief that I was going to be future roommates with a pretty awesome girl.

One thing I love about my friendship with L is that a lot of our memorable times have occurred outside of Columbus. I went to Chicago – L’s hometown – for my cousin’s wedding, and my dad got L a ticket to the Cubs game. I met her on Navy pier, and we purchased my first Cubs shirt together (she gets mad because I always seem to wear it on the days after the Cubs lose big). That evening we saw about five innings of a great game – I learned that Fukudome is not a swear word and if you talk about building a new Wrigley field you will get the stink eye. All of sudden, the sky became dark and the clouds sailed in. The rain poured down in buckets, and the tornado siren went off. L informed me that tornadoes were not common in Chicago, so she was just as freaked out as I was. The voice over the loudspeaker informed us that we needed to get down to shelter, and L and I were ready to sprint down the stairs. My dad was adamant on finishing his beer, but my tears told him it was time to go. L and I hugged each other as my uncle discussed “how bad this could get,” and then ran to shelter and my cousin’s friend’s house across the street. You will never understand the bond you have with a roommate until you almost die together.

L also visited the Jersey Shore last September. She was my first roommate houseguest, and I was able to take her all over NYC and take her to a Mets/Cubs game. Thank God we both like baseball or I don’t think we would have nearly as many fun experiences together. No tornado came through NY. She also was present when the police arrived on my street to handle an altercation. Turns out, you also will never understand the bond you have with a roommate until you have to talk to the police while she watches from your bedroom window. L is and will always be our quirky roommate. She makes her own rules and is fearless in all she does. I love watching her, because you just never know what she’s going to do next. My life is most definitely going to be a little more boring next year when I’m unable to see her every day. This I know for sure: whenever I eat any form of chicken or potato products, whenever I drink Captain, whenever I listen to rap music, whenever I see the Cubs play, whenever I hear the Harry Potter twinkling music, whenever I nap on the couch, and whenever I look at my name sign, I will be thinking of you Miss L…You better come visit me in Jersey this summer!

Thank You For Being A Friend: B

2010-06-06T17:25:00.011-04:00

Today is Sunday which means I have exactly one week until graduation, and this is officially my last week in Columbus. Boy does time fly when you’re drowning in assignments. I will not breath until Thursday, but since my mind is about to explode from study overload, I thought I would write down some of my favorite OSU moments while also pairing them with what I love most about my awesome roommates. Since I have four roommates and four days until I’m done with college, I thought this would be a perfect way to say goodbye (also, I’m poor and cannot afford to buy them “thank you for putting up with me for three years” gifts).

I said before that we titled our group and our home BLENK – the first initial in our names, so I will go in that order to say my goodbyes. First up: B

Wow, this may be harder than I thought. The tears are already forming. B for me has always been that person that I watch in action and say, “wow, I wish I could do that.” She is completely true to herself in every way. She has a love in her heart for those she cares about, and will fiercely defend them till the end (I enjoy being part of that group from time to time ☺). B lived on my floor freshman year, and my first impression of her was that she looked like my friend Liz from home. As the year went on, I learned who B was and saw that she was her own person through and through – she resembles no one (okay maybe her sister, but if you know them well enough you can tell them apart). We skipped plenty of astronomy classes together, she taught me about Perez Hilton and Days of Our Lives, we had a mutual love for musical theatre – I watched her DVD’s of her high school musical productions when she wasn’t in her dorm room (she found that weird…I didn’t). She was the first person to wish me a happy birthday on my 19th birthday (I remember because we saw our RA’s high school musical the night before, and I was in her dorm room when the clock struck 12). We are both afraid of strangers and dark alleys and lock the car doors when shady people walk by. We are both obsessive planners who cannot leave the house without a to-do list. She enjoys being the boss, and I enjoy being the boss – she usually wins. She also got me into country music – people from home never thought that day would come.

When we moved to our current location our bond became stronger (at least I think it did. She may secretly loathe me ☺). We had late night study sessions, cooked gluten-free brownies, went to parties, and travelled. So many great memories come to mind. Halloween 2009 was a night to remember. Then there was the impression she left on our then "new" neighbors when the the song "Hot n Cold" played on my car radio and the line, "Got a case of love bi-polar" was sung. B exclaimed, "Kate, this is about you!" There was the day she walked into our friend’s party with a whistle and began blowing loudly for all to hear. Everyone stared…I cracked up. We have played countless games of "never have I ever." I once went to chase her up the stairs, and she sat on the top stair, screamed and hit me on my arm – a big red mark appeared. I was with her when she bought her first romper, when she dropped her phone in the toilet…the first and second time, when the cab ride busted up her leg, when she had her first legal drink, when we sang karaoke, when we saw the Jonas Brothers, when I had my first chipotle experience (There was a hair in her food. She got a new burrito bowl and then admitted the hair was probably hers.), when she got the phone call that she had celiac, when she smacked her head on the ceiling running down the stairs, and so many other times. Her sister recently graduated from NYU, and I loved that arrangement and hope she will stay in NYC permanently because then I know B will always come and visit my homeland. I know she will be a part of my life from now on, and I’m going to miss her so much. You better visit me B, and I’ll be sharing your queen size bed when I visit BLEN in the fall.

I'm A Little Bit Country...Who Knew?

2010-06-05T16:39:00.004-04:00

Here’s my promise to the blogging world. You will not be able to get enough of my posts this summer. That is how I will make up for my serious slacking these last few weeks. Thursday was my last day of classes as an undergrad. I did not throw my notebooks up in the air, but only because I still have finals to get through and need my notes to study. However, there may be some serious paper tossing on the 10th. Instead on Thursday I allowed my inner country girl to come out and play…turns out there is a little bit of country in this East Coast girl.

I have been trying to do everything possible to get the most out of Columbus before I leave next Monday. The other night, against all my better judgment, I went to the bar Nyohs for the last time. Nyohs is a country bar in Columbus where a dance floor is reserved for line dancers and line dancers only. These people are insane! I’m fascinated by the amount of skill that goes into holding a bottle of beer and swinging your legs in the air. Complete strangers all know the moves to the same dances. Depending on what song came on, a different dance was done. I was completely sober during my entire Nyohs experience, and B, who was with me, said at one point she turned around and I was in between people I didn’t know attempting to learn the dances. That is what I did for the majority of my night. When will I ever get to do that again? I called my cousin to tell him about my night (he was in Atlantic City during the same time frame…we had very different experiences). He hoped I enjoyed myself because “you won’t find places like that around here.”

Overall my night was what I like to call a “series of events…not unfortunate, but events.” B was a silly girl (that’s my phrase for non-sober ☺), and she was set on the fact that we would not pay for anything the entire night. And she was half right. She did not pay for anything the entire night. When an idea comes to B’s head, she sticks with it. First we took a cab with friends. When we arrived at the bar everyone ran out except our neighbor and I, and I felt bad allowing him to pay for the whole ride – there went $2. Next, we took our place in line for the club. I overheard there was a three dollar cover, and I was not really in the mood for covers. B gripped my hand and said, “We won’t pay. I promise. Watch, I’ll go first.” B attempted to schmooze the bouncer unsuccessfully when a lovely female patron in line behind us gave the bouncer a five-dollar bill – B being “silly” went running into the club. I had two choices: pay the three bucks because there is no way that girl was going to pay for me as well, or go sit by myself at the shady McDonalds across the street. I paid. While inside, I decided to go drink-free because I was quickly becoming poor…B received three drinks from male patrons. Flash forward to the end of the line dancing excitement. I realized that while I was resting my eyes on a bar stool, everyone had left except my neighbor and I. We grabbed a cab, and I lost five more dollars. Lesson of the night: Only carry around my debit card from now on.

My other lesson is that I have to learn to embrace my sexuality. I’m always told by my roommates and M that “we’re girls, we don’t pay!” It must be my inner feminist, but I always pay when I can. The only exception is if a guy asks me out on a date – I still have some sense of romance, but I like purchasing things on my own…most of the time.

I Graduate This Month?!

2010-06-01T16:20:00.005-04:00

Happy June to everyone! The summer months are finally upon us, and my favorite holiday weekend has just ended. Memorial Day weekend is the time when we should all stop and thank the ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and the ones who are fighting everyday to preserve that freedom. Memorial Day also marks the unofficial beginning of summer. M informed me that the Garden State Parkway was backed up 75 miles on Friday night. Yes, summer and the Bennys are finally here. For the last two years, I have spent my Memorial Days in Ohio, and I have always felt the pangs of homesickness around the end of May. My hometown is a pretty good place to inhabit during that time. In high school, we would go to the beach, our pool would be opened, Dad would cook up an awesome barbeque, and we would participate in the parade. I was in Ohio once again this past weekend, but my time was spent having a whole lot of fun with a crazy bunch of people. It was truly a perfect weekend.

My roommate N invited us all to her home on Sunday, and my roommates and I traveled the forty-five minutes to Thornville, Oh. I love visiting the places where my roommates grew up. I feel like I know more about them if I see their homes, high schools, and local hot spots. We arrived at her house in the late morning where a great breakfast and a Great Dane the size of a horse greeted us. My jaw dropped when the dog came walking out of the room. I could have ridden this animal around the house! After breakfast, we took the boat out to Buckeye Lake. If you have never been and you’re in the area, go to Buckeye Lake. It was a gorgeous day and so much fun! The water was a perfect temperature, and the girls and I went tubing and sunning all day long – and I didn’t burn! We stopped at local eateries that we had always heard of but never attended. Papa Boos was one of these spots, and we enjoyed yummy food, drank cold daiquiris and pina colodas, and people-watched the colorful crowd. Summer had truly sprung on Sunday. Given the chance, I would go back every weekend. I can’t believe I have no more weekends to spare in Columbus – our yearly roommate reunions must be spent on Buckeye Lake.

We were then sent spiriling back into reality as we left N’s house yesterday morning. Summer is not quite here yet, and school is not quite over. I have two more days of classes as an undergraduate. I wonder if it would be inappropriate for me to throw my notebooks and papers in the air when I get out of class at 1:18 on Thursday? I have two final exams next week, and that will mark my official end to college. I have been calling this entire experience surreal since I began blogging, and it is still surreal. I have a bin sitting in the middle of my bedroom floor waiting to be filled with the essentials in my dresser and on my desk. I can officially say to M and my family that I will see them all next week. I received my first graduation card last night. This is actually happening. I have to make sure I look around and smell the flowers a lot in the next twelve days, because I won’t be smelling them again for a long time.

Life is Good

2010-05-27T23:23:00.004-04:00

Once again I have been missing from the blogosphere. The next couple of weeks are going to be insane. I was standing in line with E to purchase movie tickets tonight for Sex and the City 2 (it ended up being sold out. We’re going tomorrow ☹), when I asked her what I should do my last two weeks, because that is about all I have left. Two weeks from right now I will be a DWCG (Done With College Girl). How unbelievably insane is that? I have three classes left as an undergrad, and I’m about ready to scream from the rooftops. I need to plan an itinerary (and find time to study for finals) of what I’m going to do. I may need to take a walk through the Wexner Center on campus, I know there is a rare books collection around here somewhere, there are still numerous bars I have yet to enter, so many eateries have not been eaten at, and I have friends I need to say goodbye too – where will I find the time!

Warning to any young high school senior / college freshman out there. These years fly by. You will walk into convocation your freshman year (I still remember where I sat), you’ll blink, and boom! Your cap and tassel will be sitting on the desk in your room next to boxes packed to go home. I’m not ready to say goodbye quite yet, so I’m not going to turn this into a sorrow-filled “thanks for the best three years of my life” speech – I just finally understand what my cousin was talking about when he said it was going to go quick. I have done a lot in the last month or so as far as enjoying Columbus goes. The roomies and I went downtown last weekend to the “real clubs” and had a blast! They are much roomier than the clubs around campus, and they host a more adult crowd. I’m now extremely excited to frequent the New York City bars/clubs – summer here I come ☺

As you can tell from my 11:30pm blog post, tonight is a quiet night for me. The weeks exhaust me. I’m going to make it out of the apartment the rest of the weekend because I have to celebrate the end of my own era. But don’t think I never accomplish anything on my calm nights. My big Victorian poetry paper is complete, the bathroom is clean, and hey, I’m blogging. I call that a successful night. My room even may get cleaned tonight. I am relishing my down time (because it doesn’t happen that often!), and I love getting work accomplished. My type-A personality and perfectionist lifestyle may keep me single for life, but I’m going to be a CEO someday, so I’ll have the last laugh ☺

On a somber note, last night a member of my graduating class tragically died. Point Pleasant is like one big family, and our high school was no different. I knew every member of the class of 2007, and to lose one of “us” so young with so much ahead of her is truly unfathomable. I will be asking why for a very long time. Please join me in praying for her loved ones left behind. No one should have to deal with something like this, and it is simply unfair. It’s really upsetting that it takes moments like these to cherish our own friends and family – we should be doing that everyday – but take the time to hug those dear to you, and say “I love you” everyday. Life is so precious, and we all need to live our lives to the fullest. Rest in Peace Kyleigh <3

I truly love each and every one of you: Those who have stood by my side through every storm, those who have walked away, and those I have yet to meet. Life is beautiful. Let’s enjoy it.

Another Birthday in Columbus!

2010-05-18T17:08:00.004-04:00

Is there anywhere in this country where the sun is shining today? Ohio has been under clouds for weeks. Okay, maybe it has only been one week, but it feels like much longer. This has been the rainiest spring. Last year, the start of summer was extremely gloomy, and I’m really hoping we do not see a repeat. Besides the weather, life has been good in Columbus, Ohio. Our very own B turned 21 yesterday. (Another one joins the club! Get a move on E!!!) Tonight the girls and I are going out to celebrate B's birthday at our favorite Mexican restaurant with margaritas and nachos! It is sure to be a blast.

I love going out to dinner. Not only is the food usually better (I’m still learning the art of cooking), but it is also one of the few times that the five of us are all together at one time. We are busy girls, and it’s difficult to steal an hour alone together – except during Glee, but we don’t speak while Glee is on, so that doesn’t count. My favorite part about going to Ohio State is, of course, my roommates. We are very different people, and yet we fit together very well. I’m inspired by all of them on a daily basis, and I love having alone time so I can hear about their lives when we are apart. It was either last school year or the beginning of this year when I realized I had no idea what L did at her job – or what her job was. That’s how I knew I wasn’t paying enough attention to her life. I love knowing what they do during the hours they are away from home, because it is so different from what I am doing. I would love to sit and watch N make ceramic creations – she comes home with art products all over her clothing, and all I can picture is her sitting there like Kirstie Alley and one of the Olsen girls in “It Takes Two”. Is that how it works N?

The future always excites me because it’s unlimited. Anything can happen. We have ideas in our heads that could end up being completely different realities. I see B becoming famous, N being a make-up artist/personal stylist (to me preferably…this is my fantasy after all), E is going to personally cut the number of divorces in the country in half, L will win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism, and I will win the Oscar for Best Screenplay (And B can star in the movie!). I would say “Back to reality,” but I actually believe all that is possible. Someone has to do those things, so why not us? I love thinking about where the five of us will end up in life. We will be friends – anything less is not an option, but where will we all be living? Will we get together once a year for a vacation – a tropical place would be nice! What careers will we all have, who will our husbands be, kids??? Little LHs running around…What a happy image!

I’m so lucky to have the extended family I have here in Columbus. Words will be unable to express how much I will miss them - I become misty eyed thinking about it, but I’m excited to watch us grow more than we already have. College years are the important years. This is where we discover who we are and what we want to be, and what an amazing group of friends to take this journey with. I’m eternally grateful to all of them. Okay enough of the sentimentalism; it’s time for dinner.

Thank You Hollywood

2010-05-16T22:27:00.009-04:00

Last night, E and I saw “Letters to Juliet.” It was a charming and funny movie with beautiful scenery – the scenery may have been my favorite thing to look at in any given scene, although Christopher Egan wasn’t too hard on the eyes either. We were able to travel from New York to Italy and back again all within the span of two hours. The movie is not going to win an Oscar any time soon, but any movie that combines Italy, pasta and Bryant Park is okay by me. What I really love about the movie is the fact that Amanda Seyfried’s character Sophie is an aspiring journalist working for the New Yorker as a fact checker. She goes to Italy, and while there decides to write this beautiful love story that she watches unfold before her eyes. Perhaps it’s just because I’m obsessed with the thought of being published myself, but I feel like many of the movies I have seen lately have main characters that are writers or journalists of some kind.

“Sex and the City 2” is coming out in less than two weeks (*cue screams from women all over the world*), and we all know about Carrie Bradshaw - the fashion savvy sex columnist who becomes a best selling author along the way, Sandra Bullock’s character in “The Proposal” is a top book editor, “The Devil Wears Prada” is all about Andi’s desire to become a journalist for a major magazine, Jennifer Aniston’s character in “The Bounty Hunter” works for the Daily News. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s a solid profession for many characters in movies – especially women. These women of course make the profession seem like a breeze. They are all living in amazing apartments, wearing four hundred dollar heels, and all seem to be in the size 0-2 range, but that’s Hollywood for you. I prefer to focus on what companies they write for and what sort of pieces they write. Sophie’s job at the New Yorker would be a dream job – and traveling to Italy and writing about love…not too shabby. Carrie’s job would be a very close second: Men and Manolos…has that article already been written, or can I call dibs?

The profession is glamorized, and the actresses portraying these writers are not real writers, but it is still exciting to see your dream profession come to life before your eyes. I love watching Carrie Bradshaw get writer’s block, and I love seeing Andi on location at a Dolce and Gabbana shoot in central park. I love hearing Norbert Leo Butz sing, “We start to take the next step together, found an apartment on seventy-third, The Atlantic Monthly’s printing my first chapter, two thousand bucks without rewriting one word.” Okay that’s an off-Broadway musical, and he’s a guy, but it’s still inspiring. It is my dream to sell my first chapter to a publication as well. On the days when I cannot think of one word to write down on the page, I play this song on repeat, and the words flow.

People need something/someone to inspire them in order to push them to greatness. That’s why young boys and girls watch endless hours of sports hoping to become as good as Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, Lindsey Vonn, or Serena Williams. That’s why people listen to music about overcoming the odds or people remembering their names (yes, that is from Fame). We all want something to believe in, and we need to see it play out for others so we can say to ourselves, “I can do that.” Now, I am never going to win Olympic gold (if you’ve seen me play sports you know why), but writing, well I’m pretty sure I can do that. And I thank Hollywood for giving me DVDs to pop into my TV at night to help me believe.

It Feels So Right!

2010-05-14T18:08:00.001-04:00

What a beautiful day! Some days I wake up feeling like my life makes sense, and today was one of those days. I’m ready. That’s the first time I’ve been able to say that, but I’m really ready. I feel prepared, I feel empowered, and I feel everything I always thought I would feel when my graduation day became an upcoming event and no longer a distant hope.

I’ve changed so much in the last three years. I’m at a place in my life where I don’t allow people to get to me. It’s a wonderful feeling. I have my friends, my rocks, and my confidants – the people that know me and understand what I’m all about. I have my family who loves me unconditionally and pushes me to greatness, and I have myself. I love the person I’ve grown up to be, and I’ve never been more proud of who I am. I’ve expelled drama from my life, because frankly, I just don’t need it. I walk around and see sunshine, flowers, life and love happening everywhere. Why would I ever allow negativity to bring me down? This is the place I wanted to be at when I graduated college, and I’m there. That’s how I know I’m ready to say goodbye.

I went to the bookstore and purchased my cap, gown and tassel for graduation. Ohio State must be playing some cruel joke forcing their graduates to sit in the football stadium in June wearing all black, but that’s a discussion for another day. Thirty-one dollars later, I arrived home and went to hang up my gown. I cheated for a quick second in the same way a woman cheats before her wedding day by slipping her wedding dress on. My cap and gown fit like a glove, and I literally got chills up and down my body when I put it on. Didn’t I just graduate high school? That was yesterday right? How in the world am I doing this all again? But it feels so right.

I was chatting with my best friend M on the phone earlier, and she said she actually might cry at my graduation, because it is such an exciting moment. That’s a big deal coming from M – she doesn’t cry at anything! After she stated this to me, I laughed and thought about the giddy emotional wreck I will be that day as well. I’ve worked so hard, and it is all going to pay off in thirty short days. I spoke with Mom today as well, and she seemed so happy when I told her I purchased my cap and gown. Having my family and best friend at my graduation is making me happier than the actual event of graduating. I know that they are all so proud of me, and I know that they are all coming to support me, and it means the world. All of the assignments I have yet to finish are not causing me stress anymore, because I know that each one I cross off my list gets me one step closer. It feels so good to be prepared.

No Sleep For The Next Month

2010-05-13T21:11:00.008-04:00

We have officially hit the one-month mark. This is starting to get pretty unreal. I have three weeks left of classes and four weeks left until I’m finished with college. I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping at night because of the anticipation. I’m so excited to graduate. I’m finally ready to move on to the next chapter of my life, but the thought of leaving my roommates makes me nauseous. We’ve been together for three long years, and now I have to say goodbye and move eight hours away? When will I see them next? I’m not sure. We’re planning on them all coming to visit me in NJ this summer, but then what? These girls have become my family, and it’s really hard for me to think about leaving them and needing to work hard to see them throughout the year.

Then the anticipation returns. When I can’t fall asleep, I think about all I need to accomplish. I wrote my long “3 week to-do list” again. If you recall one of my previous blog posts (which I feel was not that long ago!), I wrote how 3-week to-do lists were a one-way ticket to panic attacks. I was correct in that assessment. Luckily, I do not have nearly as much work to accomplish – hallelujah! I’m at a place where I feel like this whole graduation thing is really going to happen (I was certain I was going to fail a class about six weeks ago). I have yet to purchase my cap and gown for fear of jinxing myself, but I’m getting close. Packing up my bedroom has been another late night thought fest. I have collected a lot of “junk” over the past two years living in my apartment. I’m hoping three bins from Target will do the job, but I may be underestimating how much “junk” I really have. If anyone wants to come visit me in Columbus and help me pack, I would be much obliged.

I’m still applying for jobs everywhere and anywhere that seems interesting. After my last interview at a company that I was interviewing at simply because I wanted a job and not because I was eager to work there, I have applied only at places where I really want to work. Numerous magazines, publishing houses, and media outlets have received multiple cover letters and resumes from me in the last couple of days and many more are coming your way! I have applied for assistant positions and entry levels jobs in hopes that I can just get my feet in the door. At this point, I would happily accept Andi’s job working for Miranda Priestly (Stop reading, and go watch “The Devil Wears Prada” this instant if you are not familiar with this reference). I’m sure I will have to work long hours and receive little pay, but it’s a small price to pay for top-notch experience in a field that I dream to be a part of.

See ya in 31 days East Coast <3

33 Days!

2010-05-11T08:34:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I found out that I did not get the job I interviewed for ten days ago. I was a little surprised since the interview was such a positive experience, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. The job was in Jersey City – a lovely part of Jersey City, but still Jersey City, and I’ve dreamed all my life of being in the fast paced, cutthroat environment that is Manhattan. The fact that I did not receive this job just reconfirmed my belief that I belong in NYC. I want to live there, I want to work there, and I want to thrive there – no more applying for jobs in other locations. I know where I’m supposed to be.

I laughed at myself for being surprised that I didn’t get the job, because I realized there was no way I was that lucky. When I applied for college my senior year of high school, I was accepted to every school I applied to. Every job I have ever applied to for summer employment, I have received. But there was no way I was going to be fortunate enough to land my first “real” job after only one interview. Some people go on thirty or forty interviews before landing that coveted job. I know this rejection has nothing to do with my skills – at least they told me it has nothing to do with my skills, so it is time to search for jobs again. I applied for about seven jobs last night that I feel would be a better match for me and my interests. I want to be in publishing and/or media, and that is where I’m going to dedicate my focus.

Unfortunately, I am back to bothering mom. She doesn’t know it yet, but I sent in a cover letter and a resume to the general applicant pool at her company, and guess who gets to sort through all of those applicants – Tish! I left her a charming message this morning stating that I was searching for employment, so we’ll see if she pulls through ☺ Mom keeps telling me to stay focused on school – and she is right. I spent hours applying for jobs last night and have not even started to begin planning out my massive paper due in my Victorian Novel class next week. If I’m going to search for jobs, I need to get homework done as well. Landing the dream job is not going to help me if I end up failing school! This is all such a fascinating learning process for me, and I’m learning to have better time management skills as well. Apply for jobs one day, and write a paper the next – that seems fair.

In other graduation news, my name is finally correct on the Arts and Sciences bulletin board. For about two weeks, “Kate Cecilia Fergusan” was receiving a diploma – Is it really that difficult to change an “a” to an “o?” Apparently. Yesterday, the list went up again and the correction was made. As long as I stay focused these next 33 days and get all my work done – “Kate Cecilia Ferguson” is graduating from The Ohio State University on June 13th. Wish me luck!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T21:20:00.009-04:00

I’m dedicating my blog today to all the mamas of the world. Thank you moms for all of the wonderful things you do every day for us kiddies. We wouldn’t be here without you…literally! I find it kind of funny how we dedicate only one day out of 365 to celebrate moms. Every day should be Mother’s day! Moms make the world go round. All moms are working moms whether they are full-time moms, or hold three jobs, and they all play a large part in molding their children into the adults they will grow up to be. So thank you moms (and single dads!) for being so wonderful!

I could not write a Mother’s Day blog post without dedicating some time to my mom Tish. How to put into words the person that Tish Ferguson is? I have never known a more caring, dedicated individual than my mom. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need (she actually has done that) and is always there for any friend who knocks on our door. All have always been welcome in my home, and she makes others feel as comfortable as humanly possible. Over the years, she has done everything for me. My birthday parties, shopping trips, hair styles, prom dresses, dinner dates, and so much more was all made possible thanks to her. She was the one who brought me to New York so many times as a child and allowed me to experience all that wonderful city has to offer. She has listened to my dreams and has never scoffed at my aspiration to become a published author - in fact she has encouraged me to write more. I owe it all to her. My mom has taught me so many lessons over the years. When I was younger, I thought she worked long hours because she wanted to – she had to enjoy it right? As I got older, I learned that she worked till midnight night after night for my family. She wanted to help provide for us so we could go on vacations and have nice Christmases year after year. I learned that everything she ever did was for my brother, my dad and I. I’m eternally grateful for it all, and I’m sad today that I’m in Ohio while she is home in NJ. Next year, I promise I will be taking you out for a nice brunch and buying you a well-deserved gift. No one could be more proud of you or love you more than I do!

Happy Mother’s Day! xoxo

I'm Still Working Hard (And My Roommates Are Hating Me!)

2010-05-07T16:27:00.007-04:00

37 days. I’m finally at a point where I think it is appropriate to have a countdown until Graduation. So, what is this Jersey girl doing in her last 37 days at college you ask? Well, my roommates all left me this weekend (burglars know what house to hit up tonight), so I will be having a movie night on my couch with my laptop, a nice blanket, and myself. Do I know how to party or what? I’m not too bummed with my nighttime plans. This week took every ounce of energy I had left in me. Yesterday when I arrived home from class, I took a four-hour nap. That’s a little excessive, but my body was screaming to be rejuvenated. I really enjoy taking care of myself, and a little nap here and there is what I need to keep focused on the end goal.

I haven’t blogged in a while about my workout endeavors. I want all of you to know that I am still going strong. May 4th marked the four-month mark of my daily workout routine. I try to only skip one day a week, and if more cannot be avoided, I never go more than a day without working out. I have never felt better. I’m still working on the healthy eating side of the bargain (sometimes chips and queso cannot be resisted!), but the workouts free my mind of stress and help me feel great. Today, I tried Jillian Michaels’ DVD “No More Trouble Zones” for the first time. This workout is a 45-minute weight lifting workout, and it was the hardest thing I’ve done this far on my journey to obtaining the most in shape body I can. I wish someone would have video taped me attempting to do side lunges thirty minutes into the workout – I could have been a youtube sensation. I literally fell over multiple times, and at one point during the abs circuit, I accidentally allowed my legs to go behind my head causing me to do a backward somersault. Jillian would be proud.

I guess I’m not making my own workout video in the near future, but the important thing for me is that I never quit, and I love trying new things. I ran around town all last weekend while I was home, I did Jillian’s cardio blast DVD’s this week before class (although I had to move my 6 am workouts to later in the day because I was waking up the house with my jumping. Some people can be so grumpy at the crack of dawn), and today I attempted to lift heavy weights switching to water bottles half way through (in my defense, Jillian was using 3lbs and I was using 5). Today, I treated myself by purchasing “10 minute Solution: Rapid Results Pilates.” It is due to arrive in the mail on Tuesday, and I’m very excited to try a new workout. I have heard rave reviews from other Pilates’ devotees, and I hope this can be a new workout that I will love. As long as I keep working hard, I allow myself to purchase new DVDs. Kim Kardashian’s “Fit in Your Jeans by Friday” is next on the list! Wish me luck, and take care of yourself.

She Works Hard For The Money

2010-05-06T19:25:00.007-04:00

I’ve been chatting a lot about the wonders of Twitter. I feel everyone should have a Twitter account. If you’re not into celebrities and do not like following everything they do in a given day like yours truly, Twitter can still be very useful. An example is that I follow numerous New York City twitter accounts that give me information such as shopping tips (there was a Manolo Blahnik sample sale last week selling shoes from as low as 100 dollars). I also get updates on filming sights, top eateries, and specials throughout the city. I was able to buy tickets to see Broadway star Jonathan Groff because a Twitter account announced he would be playing at Joe’s Pub. I was one of the first to purchase tickets and got them for 23 dollars a piece – they sold out not long afterwards. Most companies have now hopped on the Twitter bandwagon as well, and job searching and gaining information has become much easier. I’m a firm believer in being well versed in the next big thing. It’s one of the reasons I want an IPad and it’s why I read the WSJ on a daily basis. New social media sights are always popping up, and in this tough market, if you are slow at discovering new information, you will be left behind.

Most news sources have Twitter accounts as well, and all of the top stories of the day often become “trending topics” – stick with me reader who is unfamiliar with twitter terminology. A trending topic is a word or phrase that is mentioned quite often in posts by twitter users. For example, many people were posting about the Times Square bomber the other day, and his name (once discovered) became a trending topic. I follow topics in the NYC region, and today at the top of the list was “Worst-Paying College Degrees.” Usually, trending topics (TTs) are not this stiff. “MyFirstKiss” was trending at a close second. I was intrigued, so I clicked on the TT and found that it stemmed from a Huffington Post article posted today in their college section.

I found this article interesting (and not too shocking). Obviously, Finance is not on the list and Drama is, but I was focusing more on people’s interest in making money. We all want to make money, or at least I do, but how far do people go in order to make money? Social work was on this list (sorry E!), and I couldn’t help thinking about how we need social workers, and what a valiant decision it is to go into such a field and deal with so much heartbreak. Elementary Ed was also on the list (not sure if this counts for N, but if it does, sorry for you too!) I’m interested to know how many people decide every year to step away from the Elementary Education field because the pay is too low. My major (shockingly!) was not on the list. I see two reasons for this. One, English majors go into so many different fields that some of them actually do make money, or two, English majors usually can never find jobs, not even making it on to the list, since they are all sitting in a Starbucks somewhere writing that next big thing that never becomes big. On a cynical day I would go with two, but I’m having a good day, so I’m going to think some of us actually will be able to afford terribly over-priced apartments and nice shoes someday.

I don’t really have a conclusion to my thought process – I just found this information interesting. If popular sites, such as the Huffington Post, are posting articles about the worst paying degrees, we have to assume people will walk away from these fields even if they find them interesting, challenging, and have a passion for them. I don’t necessarily think that’s a good thing since many of these positions are needed. Topics like this always make me do some soul searching of my own. I never was a brilliant actress but I always thought theatre was something I could have excelled at if I would have taken more time to hone my skills. I decided it was too unstable of a career choice for me to take on. Was I selling out the same way others may after reading this article? And what about all of those jobs that need to be filled? I guess someone will do them, but will they be the best of the best? Probably not. I would love to hear your thoughts.

PS Mom started writing about job searching/career etiquette on her blog. Check it out.

A Degree in English?!

2010-05-05T18:47:00.005-04:00

There are many movies, songs, and theatrical productions that make us feel like we are not alone. That is one of the many reasons we spend countless dollars on tickets to our favorite concerts, musicals, and movie showings – these people get us! I had a very similar experience when I listened to the original cast recording of the Broadway musical “Avenue Q” the other day. I first heard this album years ago, but it has since gained new meaning in my life. One of the songs is titled “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?” It is a quick song that introduces the next musical number “It Sucks To Be Me.” I feel they chose this particular order on purpose. Here is a quick look at the rest of the song.

“What do you do with a B.A in English?
What is my life going to be?
Four years of college, and plenty of knowledge
Have earned me this useless degree
I can’t pay the bills yet, cause I have no skills yet
The world is a big scary place
But somehow I can’t shake the feeling I might make
A difference to the human race.”

Listening to this song through my headphones while walking to class, I felt like I was being spoken to. I then went through all of the questions that pop in a person’s head when they begin to doubt their entire career path. Why did I choose to major in English? What a stupid degree! Am I ever going to get a job? These questions turn into bigger ones such as: Will I live at home forever and end up working at McDonalds? I spend all of my class time discussing the characters of novels and symbolism. How the hell is that going to get me a job? My roommates are learning about business writing in order to work in Public Relations, journalistic techniques in order to become a reporter, art techniques in order to become an art teacher, and social behaviors in order to become a social worker. I’m learning how to…read, write, analyze a text? I already knew how to do all those things! You can really mess yourself up when you begin to question your life decisions.

That being said (and a panic attack coming on), I think the ending of this song is really important. I can’t tell you why, but I feel like I’m supposed to do something big with my life, and if that something changes one life for the better, then I will be satisfied. I have no idea which career path is right for me, and I have no idea if my degree will end up hurting me in the end because, let’s face it, it’s not very practical. What I do know is that I am driven and confident in my abilities. Perhaps, that is enough to send me on my way to that next big thing? We shall see.

<3 Happy Cinco De Mayo Everyone! <3

My 50th Post!

2010-05-04T16:55:00.006-04:00

I feel as if I should be writing some grand post for my 50th. Instead, I’ve decided to focus on commercialism, stereotypes, and shallow human beings. Confession: I love The Real Housewives of New Jersey. The new season premiered last night, and I loved every second of it. It is hard to believe these people actually exist. I have not been a devoted follower to some of the other Housewives series, but I have seen much of New York and some of Orange County. I just cannot get enough of these drama-filled women with far too much time on their hands. I definitely have a personal bias, but I think New Jersey is the best of the series. They are interconnected (two are sisters, one is their sister-in-law, the other is a long time friend), and they have tight bonds with one another that did not begin the moment the cameras turned on. Their families are adorable and close, and the drama they deal with could only happen in NJ (mob links, table flipping).

I’m not the biggest fan of reality shows, but The Real Housewives is a show I will enjoy for a long time. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that these women are older, and I’m not as jealous of them as I am of rich teens who do nothing to earn their money (ladies of E’s Pretty Wild – I’m talking to you). Many of the housewives actually work hard for a living with some even starting their own companies. They live extravagant lives, and I find it entertaining to watch it all play out on TV. I know some of it is scripted to make the show more interesting, but for the most part, I believe these “housewives” really are this crazy.

I think about my TV habits as a college student, and I laugh because they are so different from my younger years. I couldn’t get enough TV as a child, but now I have three set shows I watch a week, and I’m stressed about it. “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” “GLEE,” and “Vampire Diaries” take up three hours of my time a week, and sometimes it feels like too much. I try to tell myself that I deserve a little relaxation in my week, but then I think about all of the work I need to accomplish (PS Today, I was trying to do so much work in a very quick period of time, and I stapled my finger - I really do need a break). In order to avoid going completely crazy, I think a little trashy TV is alright every once in a while. The Housewives of NJ consider themselves classy, so I’m going to consider myself classy for watching them – perhaps I’ll learn a thing or two about my potential future life ☺ Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Monday nights at 10 pm on Bravo.

On a side note, the Tony Award Nominations were announced this morning. I followed the Tony announcements via Twitter, and I am very excited about all of the nominees. I love that I have seen some of shows nominated, and I plan on seeing the rest this summer. It was such a talented Broadway season. The Tonys are on June 13th (The same day as my college graduation. What poor planning!) A full list of all nominees can be found here.

<3 Peace and Love <3

My First Interview

2010-05-03T20:22:00.011-04:00

I’m sorry blogging world – I have been a very busy bee. Last week I had two midterms, which consumed my life, but I promise to be more diligent with my posts in the future. Much has gone on in the past week. All of my friends at other schools are embarking on their summer breaks, and I’m at the almost five week mark! This past weekend, I went home to New Jersey for what should be the last time until I graduate college. It was such an exciting weekend, because I went on my first interview for a real job on Friday. I bought a brand new suit at the mall Thursday night, and trekked up to Jersey City Friday afternoon. It was an unbelievably positive experience, and I'm still unable to comprehend the fact that my life in the grown-up world is actually beginning. I love professionalism. I love suits, briefcases, expensive shoes, and blackberrys. All of it equals success to me, and I saw it all during my time in Jersey City. I walked along the Hudson River and people watched for an hour before my interview. You come across all walks of life in diverse cities, and I saw so many professionals eating lunch, and having business meetings outside, since it was a glorious eighty degrees out. I want to be a part of it all.

I have always wanted to work in New York, but Jersey City is the best second place location I can find. The area where I was interviewing looks right over to the city and has amazing views. The Path train is across the street, and it is an easy ride over to Manhattan. I couldn’t stop thinking about how endless my opportunities are right now. If this job pulls through, wonderful! If not, I know I’m qualified for other positions. This is what all of my hard work has lead up to, and it feels really good to know I have accomplished so much for myself.

Coming off the high from Friday was wonderful. Going to the beach on Saturday was even better. My friends and I discussed this weekend how it felt too much like summer. I still had homework to complete! Instead I was sprawled out on a beach towel, eating Mike’s subs, and failing to tan. It felt like an actual vacation weekend. I also experienced the Jersey shore bars for the first time, and they were a sight to see. My roommates won’t know what to do when they come in contact with all of the Guidos this summer. The live bands were my favorite – one did an awesome rendition of “Bad Romance.” I was totally in the summer mood, and then I flew back to the rain in Columbus. In all fairness, I hear the thunderstorms are awful in the New York area right now, but come on. An entire weekend of eighty-five degree weather, and I land in a torrential downpour. You can’t make this stuff up.

My weekend was fabulous, and now we are back to the grind. Classes are done in four weeks, finals are in five. It's crazy how fast the quarter is going. No matter how much work I have to get done, I’m through with being an idle blogger. ( I should be doing homework right now actually). Blogging is some of the only writing that I get real enjoyment out of right now (writing on the Victorian Period really doesn’t do it for me), and I have a lot of ideas for blogging this week. So much has been happening! Evil people are trying to blow up my loved ones in New York, Nashville is under water, an oil spill is destroying wildlife, racial profiling is now legal in Arizona, the Met Gala is tonight, the Tony Award nominations are being announced tomorrow, I may have a real job by the end of the week…where do I begin! I also have a lot of short stories coming together. When they are complete, I’m going to post them on a short story blog (which I will link here), or I will post them to this blog directly. You all will be able to see what I really do with my copious free time (ha, yea right!). Keep your fingers crossed for my employment endeavors, and I will see all of you tomorrow!

<3 It is time to stop the hate, and let's all pray for the people of Tennessee. <3

Meeting Perez Hilton

2010-04-24T15:31:00.004-04:00

Last night, B, E, N, our friend C and I saw Perez Hilton, the self proclaimed “Queen of all Media” and famous blogger, speak at Ohio State. All of us read Perez’s website every day for our daily dish of celebrity gossip. His appearance was the highlight of my spring quarter, and I really don’t think it’s going to get better. We arrived at the new union two hours before doors opened in order to make sure we were first in line. Once the doors opened, we literally ran down to the front row to make sure we had the best seats in the house – did we ever! It was incredible.

I’m a big sap for celebrities. Their lives fascinate me, and to be honest, I just want to be famous as well. Perez understands my obsession and helps me feed it. He has all the inside scoops, and I’m pretty sure he has been the one to break every big story/scandal in the last five years. He spoke very little of his actual website however. His talk focused much more on his journey to the top of the blogging scene. He talked about growing up poor in Miami as the child of Cuban immigrants and how an intense work ethic is the most important thing you can have if you hope to succeed. He told stories of his younger years, such as begging NYU to give him more money to attend and eventually obtaining a full ride out of his perseverance. He discussed how he got fired three times in one year, and his goals to get fit and healthy (he looked amazing!). He made me laugh until my face hurt, sad when he discussed his thoughts of suicide in his twenties, and had me on the edge of my seat as he discussed the “hot mess” that is Lindsey Lohan. I have always enjoyed Perez, but after last night, I may be in love – he was just that fabulous.

I found Perez really inspiring as well. I’m trying to gather all the tips I can about making it in the “real world” since I’m being forced out into it in seven short weeks. His speech about working hard, persistence, and making yourself happy really struck a nerve. There are only two things I want in my life: success and happiness. Perez told me how he was able to achieve both, and I hope I can follow in his footsteps. He spoke about how he could care less what people thought about him and how in order to succeed you must be original and innovative. His message was really powerful for a soon-to-be graduate. I have a newfound respect for him even as he was calling Justin Bieber a little lesbian. An entertaining and honest speech – I couldn’t ask for anything more.

After his speech, we waited in a long line for a chance to get our pictures with our favorite gossiper. I get a little funny when it comes to celebs, and I was barely able to say three words to him, but I didn’t fall while walking up the stairs, and I got to put my arm around him and tell him I loved his talk, so the evening was a success. On a side note, before the show started, B was tweeting Perez like crazy hoping for a response. I decided to tweet him a quick message as well and he responded! I have been trying (quite diligently) for a year to win the contest (I’m really the only contestant – B stopped playing months ago) to be the first of our group to have a celeb tweet back at. Perez Hilton was my first response. My life is now complete.

My twitter name is @KateCFerg – follow me!

GLEE!

2010-04-23T13:54:00.005-04:00

I just realized I have committed a crime against musical theatre by not blogging about my favorite show on TV – Glee. Glee has made my Tuesday nights much happier times since it aired this past September. I even made sure to be back home in time to watch the characters belt out tunes on my 21st birthday – talk about dedication! I’ll be the first to admit that Glee is one of those shows that you either love or hate, but I recommend everyone giving it a shot. It has a little of everything – humor, romance, sadness, and of course lots and lots of singing. The Glee characters have taken many hit songs and transformed them into bigger hit songs. Last week’s episode was dedicated solely to Madonna, and it was fabulous.

I have to admit I am extremely biased. I saw Lea Michele, who plays the main female lead Rachel, perform in Spring Awakening three years ago. To date, Spring Awakening is probably my favorite Broadway show. Hair comes in an extremely close second. I met her at the stage door and received her autograph. When I realized it was Lea on my TV screen, I was hooked by her amazing vocals and haven’t missed an episode yet. This season they added a new cast member Jesse, played by Jonathan Groff, who is Rachel’s love interest. Groff also performed in Spring Awakening, and I met him as well. I fell head over heels in love with him on that happy day. Since our meet, he has come out of the closet and dated Gavin Creel (sigh) of Hair, but that has not deterred my infatuation (A girl can dream right?). I bought tickets to see him perform at Joe’s Pub in NYC June 20th – I’ve never been more excited! Seeing Lea and Jonathan sing and have awesome chemistry on my TV brings me back to the Spring Awakening days – they have not lost their touch! Another Broadway star, Matthew Morrison (original Link in Hairspray), is a main character on Glee as well. Kristin Chenoweth guest stars from time to time, as does Idina Menzel. Can this get any better?! I would say no, but they always seem to be doing so – just like Lady Gaga. Speaking of Gagaloo, an episode will be dedicated to her music as well in the upcoming weeks. The TV world may explode.

If you’re not into musical theatre, this show is probably not for you. However, if you love funny humor (“When I tore my hamstring, I went to a misogynist”), romantic twists, and awesome music, then you should definitely give Glee a shot. I would like to say that I hope this show never ends, but I want to see Lea, Matthew, and Jonathan return to Broadway even more than I enjoy seeing them on TV, so I’m going to enjoy this wonderful show until they decide to return to their roots – which I hope is soon! Watch Glee Tuesday nights at 9pm!

I'm All Grown-up...Now What?

2010-04-22T14:54:00.005-04:00

I’ve been away from the blogosphere for a few days celebrating my legal status. Yes, this Jersey girl is finally 21. I thought the day would never come! I eagerly awaited midnight on Monday night, paused for one minute to congratulate myself on reaching adulthood, and then continued with my homework due the next day (I still have to graduate people). On Tuesday, my roommates and I went to a Mexican restaurant, where I ordered a jumbo Margarita – my first legal drink. I was not carded. The last six times I have eaten at this restaurant, I have been carded and denied. The first time I want to be carded and he just takes our orders and walks away. Isn’t life funny? Last night, however, my wish was granted. I went to a local bar in town with some of my roommates and neighbors (one of my neighbors turned 21 yesterday), and we enjoyed dollar drink night (after being carded) – three long island iced teas for three dollars. I love 21.

As you can tell, I am enjoying my new experiences to the fullest extent. But of course, I'm still me, and what would make me the happiest of all on my birthday? I'll give you a hint, it has to do with books. I made M laugh the other night, because although 21 is awesome, the present I received from my parents made my birthday complete. I received “the best present ever!” – a Kindle. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, a Kindle is a digital reading device that allows you to download books and newspapers directly to your device for easy reading at a cheaper price. No longer will I have to pack my bags with numerous books and reading material. It is a perfect gift for the obsessed reader who spends way too much money at Barnes and Noble. I have wanted one for a very long time, but never asked, so I was very surprised when my Kindle showed up in the mail Monday evening. Major brownie points go to mom and dad for knowing their daughter so well. I’m now sitting in front of my computer debating which books to buy. I’m looking at career books since that seems to be the direction my life is heading in. “Finding employment for dummies” is not a real book unfortunately.

I have had an exciting week leading up to my birthday. I already informed you all about the insanity that was Celina, but graduation is becoming a reality as well. I received my honors braids in the mail signifying that I will graduate Cum Laude. I hung them up in my room in order to motivate myself to keep working hard. The graduation list went up this week as well, and my name is on it (my name is actually on it twice, but that’s an easier error to correct than not being on it at all!). I received an email to exit out of financial aid, and all of my bills are paid. So now it is all up to me. I am finally able to see a finish line. It’s an unreal feeling.

My birthday week unfortunately has not been without its “downs.” My mom’s best friend, and someone I have considered my aunt since I was born, passed away on my birthday. Occurrences like this really put life in perspective. While I was celebrating the day I entered this world and my life thus far, a very special person was leaving the world and heading to a better place. We all need to learn that life is very short, and we need to be enjoying and living every single moment of it. I’m living my life to the fullest, and I hope all of you are doing the same. Take risks, have fun, make yourself happy, and spread LOVE.

<3 RIP Aunt Linda <3

C-E-L-I-N-A

2010-04-18T21:48:00.003-04:00

Last night is going down in the history books as the craziest night I have ever experienced. Yesterday afternoon, B, L, E, and I packed up the car and drove the two-hour drive to Celina, Oh, hometown of our neighbor Gabe and some friends of ours, to celebrate Andrew “Chuck” Hoying’s 21st birthday bash. A party bus was rented out, and the girls and I were told multiple times that we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Understatement of the year. For my readers out there who are unaware of how the party bus works Mercer County style, I’ll inform you. We arrived at this bar in Celina where an orange bus arrived and picked up about fifty of us. We then traveled to six different bars throughout the course of the night staying at each for about 30-45 minutes. It was insane.

This whole bus idea is brilliant. Just talking safety factor, no one has to drive anywhere. Our awesome bus driver Goldie (we miss Goldie already!) even dropped us all off at Gabe’s house at 2 am. The bus itself was like one big house party. Everyone danced it up in the aisle as Andrew’s birthday bash CD played over and over again. I think we may have had more fun on the bus than in the actual bars at times. Not only did we get to experience a whole different kind of bar hopping experience, but we also learned geography on the trip as well. One bar was on the border of Indiana – I had no idea we were that close. Coming from a very different background of bars…I’m talking Jersey Shore background here, I had so much fun experiencing “country bars.” John Deere Green played 72 times, and I loved every minute of it! Luckily no one had to watch me attempt to line dance. My roommates will tell you that Kate line dancing is not a pretty sight. The Cupid Shuffle is about as coordinated as I can get, but lots of other dancing was experienced by everyone.

So the night was a great success with a few memorable moments. The guy who started driving the bus when we were leaving the last stop will have a special place in my heart as the person I hate most in this world. Did I mention our bus driver was not on the bus and that we were parked next to a lake? Yup. He will be holding this title for a very long time. Memories will also include watching our fellow bus riders pass out on the bus as our night progressed. Half the bus was sleeping by the time we arrived at the end of the line. Our birthday boy walking around lost for an hour last night while the rest of us found our way back to Gabe’s house. He was lost in his own neighborhood. Making nachos with the gang…and using several types of cheeses, because apparently one is not enough. Not getting nearly enough sleep in the room I was sleeping in because of lots of chit chatters and a snoring roommate (who apparently sounds like a hippopotamus according to one of the chit chatters).

What a great way to go into my birthday week! C’mon, you all knew I had to slip in the fact that I turn 21 in 26 hours. I hope to experience something similar to what I experienced last night again in my life, but at least I know that if I don’t, I can die saying I partied it up Mercer County style. One more thing to cross off my bucket list ☺

Learning Something New Everyday

2010-04-16T17:53:00.010-04:00

Memoirs of a pasty girl: That is what I’m titling my book if my life ever gets interesting enough to write one. I sat outside on the oval yesterday, and the temperature was an awesome 82 degrees. I had been in the English Building all day getting work done. When I returned to my apartment, my roommates and neighbors convinced me to go sit on the oval with them. The time was 5 pm, and my friends I kid you not, my legs got sunburned. I thought at first it was an allergic reaction to the grass (another chapter of my memoir: Allergies are Awesome), and I didn’t give it another thought. But today, the spot on my shin that must have been sitting in the sun, even though the rest of my body was sitting in the shade, got burnt. I didn’t think I would need sunscreen at five in the evening sitting under a tree. Turns out I was wrong.

I’m really not complaining. Red skin from the sun is much better than blue skin from the cold. Spring has unleashed the students. The oval was hopping yesterday. So many students were out with their dogs, towels, and baseballs enjoying the weather as we were. When I was walking home from my class, I noticed all of the bathing suits that have been retrieved from storage. Since the English building’s temperature is set at a lovely 59 degrees at all times, I was walking home in a sweatshirt and jeans. I felt very out of place. I also began to think about my real home. When we have nice days in Jersey, we flock to the beach. When nice days occur in Ohio, we flock to the grass.

I’ll never forget experiencing spring my freshman year of college. Once the beautiful weather hit, I was elated. My first winter in Ohio had been a near transferring experience. But that spring, I’ll never forget when I began to feel claustrophobic. I realized for the first time that I was in a land-locked state - There are no oceans around Ohio! I know you’re wondering how I even made it to college without knowing that oceans did not surrounded the state of Ohio, and of course I knew it, but it never occurred to me that this would be an issue. When weighing the pros and cons of Ohio State, my parents did not tell me there would not be a beach to go to when the temperature hit 80. Then spring rolled around, and my desire for a cool ocean breeze intensified. Growing up in a town where the ocean is right down the street, I never knew it would feel different. And it really does people, it really does. I also discovered the one positive to spending the spring in Ohio. My Jersey readers may be shocked by this information because I sure was. There is zero tree pollen covering the cars in a disgusting lime green dust. It does not exist here! My dad used to make sure I always closed my windows or else the pollen would line the inside of my car. I’m pretty sure that it comes from certain pine trees that are not found in Ohio. My allergies, while still going haywire, breathed a big sigh of relief when that was discovered.

These examples, and there are a million more (did I mention they say “tennis shoes” instead of sneakers. This one will baffle me until the day I die), are a few of the reasons I love the fact that I went to college in another state. I never thought I would be discovering a new region and culture I was unfamiliar with. I’m sure people are just as culture shocked when they visit our lovely state (I know my roommates will be this summer!), but it’s important to see how other people live. My roommates don’t know what pork roll is, and they laughed when they saw “Exit 98” as a bumper sticker on my car, but I didn’t know what “pop” was, or that they can get their 21 driver’s licenses thirty days before their actual birthday. We are learning new things about each other every day, and that's half the fun of traveling out of your comfort zone.

My New "Grand Obsession"

2010-04-14T19:31:00.011-04:00

On Monday night, I attended my first book reading at Ohio State. My fictional writing class, which is turning out to be the greatest scheduling decision ever, requires me to attend two readings over the course of the quarter. I’m disappointed I have not attended more, because they are simply wonderful. On Monday, Perri Knize read from her new memoir, Grand Obsession, for forty-five minutes and finished with a Q&A segment. Her memoir begins with her realization at the age of forty-three that she wants to be a great pianist. The rest of the text takes the reader on the journey of her discovering and perfecting the “soul-mate” of pianos. I have not read the book yet, but after her reading, I now have it on hold at the library.

I went into the reading completely unaware of who Knize was or what she did. Her back-story peaked my interests in her as a person and her work. She is a native New Yorker, and spent much of her years living in Manhattan. As you all know, I stand with open arms to anyone who hails from the East Coast. She discussed New York in great detail: streets she lived on, stores she frequented, and restaurants she ate at. Needless to say, after her introduction, I could not wait to hear what she had written. The fact that her memoir focused solely on music was a perfect match as well. Music has always been a love of mine, and although I regrettably don’t know how to play an instrument, Knize informed me that it is never too late to learn. Perhaps I will get those piano lessons after all.

After this lecture, I am more determined than ever to get published. Watching a professional writer read her work to an auditorium full of people reminded me that I have what it takes to have my work published as well. I once read an article about a professional ballet dancer that, as a child, attended The Nutcracker performed by The New York City Ballet. As she watched the dancers leap on stage, she said aloud, “That’s what I’m going to do.” I felt the same way Monday night. I always knew I wanted to write, but now I know I’m going to write.

Since my time at Ohio State is almost at an end (Less than 2 months!), I searched online and found tons of book readings in the NYC area. I have opened my eyes to an entirely new area of culture that I have never taken advantage of. I’m attending another reading tomorrow night by a professor at Ohio State who has just published a new book. I cannot wait to get inspired all over again.

Peace and Love <3

Applications, Cover Letters, and Resumes...Oh My!

2010-04-12T14:55:00.005-04:00

It’s official. Applying for jobs is a very stressful experience. If only I had a mother who was one of the top recruiters in the country…oh wait, I do. I’m not even going to get started on that argument again, because it will most likely bring on fight #367. I’ve decided to find jobs the old-fashioned way. I’m applying myself, and boy is it rough out there. I have sent resume after resume, and still have gotten very little feedback. I refuse to believe that I’m not qualified, because that would hurt my self-esteem, so I’ve got to assume that there are a million people more qualified than I am…which is still disheartening.

Here’s my request: I just want the interview. Give me the interview, and I will talk the ear off any potential employer about why he/she would be a moron not to hire me. I know I have what it takes to succeed at any job I take on, but I’m not going to get anywhere if I don’t get the interview. I’m not making excuses for my own lack of skills, but it is a tough market right now. You have hundreds of people ten times more qualified than I am (who am I kidding…a hundred times), and they are more than happy to take on the lower paying jobs. I thought for a while that I was in the perfect position to be employed. I’m graduating in three years, my GPA is wonderful, I have a few skills that could be useful to any company, and they could pay me little money, because I’m entry-level, right? On the other hand, I could be seen as being young and inexperienced because I've only had one internship and worked at the beach last summer. This is quite the conundrum.

I’ve been told by both of my parents to be patient. If any of you know me very well, you know “patient individual” is not something I would put on my resume. I’m a go-getter. I have a very hard time sitting around waiting for life or mom to happen. If any of you know mom, you also know waiting for her could take a loooong time. I have had this itty bitty dream for about 10 years now of living in New York and making it big. This dream (besides the “making it big” part) is so close to happening now, and I cannot stand the waiting. I have been told: First comes employment, then comes apartment. Well, employment better start showing some signs of life! I’m glad that my parents are perfectly content with me living at home for the rest of my life, but I’m not quite so pleased with that arrangement. So to my readers, if you hear about a job opening up in New York City, I’ll take it. I may be picky about my men, but as you can see I’m not picky about employment. ☺

Peace and Love all! <3

Sparks After Midnight

2010-04-10T14:17:00.011-04:00

I’m curious to know what you all feel about finding potential dating partners at parties or bars late at night. My mom always told me growing up that nothing good happens after midnight. She actually started with nothing good happens after ten, but once she realized that logic wasn’t going to keep me from going out at night, she pushed it to midnight. I tend to agree with her thought process. At any party I have ever attended, most of the attendees are slightly drunk, very drunk, or blacked out by about midnight. With that being said, can you find a love interest with actual staying power at a party/bar? I’m talking about actual dating with dinners, movies and sober talks. One-night stands do not count.

My parents actually met in a bar. If I recall the story correctly they were introduced by a mutual friend at one of the local joints in town. My mom even went home that night and told a friend (or her mom?) that Harry Ferguson was the one. I don’t always listen to every detail of mom's stories, so my recount may be a little fuzzy, but it was definitely a bar and that thought did cross her mind. My mom never mentioned my dad pounding back seven beers before they began to get to know each other, and she never said she had taken four shots to calm her nerves, so I’m left to assume that they were both slightly sober when this meet and greet took place. So my next question comes into play…do you have to be sober to find a potential match with staying power?

I would say yes. In my experience, I have never met anyone that I found “dating attractive” while at a party. Think about all of the problems that occur at parties. Beer is spilling everywhere; you can barely hear yourself speak over the loud speakers, and that potential person may go out and have a cigarette ruining all chances of a happily ever after because you are not picky, but could never date a smoker. Okay, maybe those are just issues for me, but these are common complaints I hear on a weekly basis.

Personally, I’m a daylight seeker. If we can have a good conversation sober, and I feel you are nice enough to bring home to my mom and dad who met at that bar, we may have a match. Daylight is the true test. When forced to communicate in the harsh sunlight without the glazed eyes that prevent you from seeing my flaws, I know you like me for me…and vice versa. At parties, I’ve learned from experience that some conversations do not even matter after midnight because people wake up the next morning and forget they ever met you in the first place. It's important to remember names in order to make a relationship work.

I personally feel meeting your next stable relationship at a party is an exception to the rule. Too many substances are inhibiting people from connecting on that level that you need to connect with in order to have that stable relationship. I’m also a fan of being friends first, because you feel comfortable with one another and understand each other on that basic level of companionship. Unless there is daylight bonding, relationships after midnight do not work. If anyone would like to challenge me, I welcome your opinions.

Till next time: Happy Hunting. <3

I Need Inspiration!

2010-04-08T17:50:00.010-04:00

My writing fiction class is requiring me to write a 2 to 6 page story due next Wednesday, and as the title of this post conveys, I need inspiration! I knew before taking this class that it was going to push my comfort level. The story that I need to create has to be distributed to all twenty classmates and the professor, and then it will be workshopped the following Monday. I am currently taking deep breaths in order to prevent a panic attack. I have written many stories in the past, but most of them are not what I would consider “high literature,” and some are not very good. Now, I actually have to get critiqued…publicly!

I am well aware that in order to become a published writer, you are required to submit work to a publisher and will most likely get rejected. Writing professionally is all about rejection. With that said, they often do not tell you to your face your plot sucks, your characters suck, and your writing style sucks. It is usually done in a nice sugar coated letter that you are able to burn afterwards. I have never been put on the spot to write before, and now I am definitely thinking too hard. My professor informed us the other day that well-received stories usually include unhappy characters. Death, betrayal, and loneliness are staples in any well-written piece of work. My problem is that I’m the author that wants all of her characters to live happily ever after. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I, myself, hope to live happily ever after, or as close to it as one can get. I believe in karma. If I give my characters hopeful story lines, God will give me one. That’s how it works, isn’t it?

So the girl who analyzes everything and who believes in rainbows and butterflies now has to write a story about pain and unbearable sorrow. The wonderful thing about writing is that it makes you dig deep inside yourself until you can find that source that is aching. Even the happiest person in the world has a dark side. Through my writing, I am able to discover mine. I went through a number of scenarios that could occur in this extremely short story. I thought about having a woman, who is betrothed to a man she does not want to marry, throw herself off a cliff, but that seemed too cynical. B wanted me to write about nudists. Actually, she wanted me to write about her at first, but then she brought up the idea of a nudist. It may seem odd, but we discussed how our country places a taboo on nakedness and a stigma on those who choose to wear no clothing. I enjoy stories that include political statements. E informed me that I could create a story based on crime at the zoo – and the animals could talk! I may save that idea for a later story. Vampires also came to mind, but I think that has been a tad overdone lately.

There really are a million things to write about. My professor explained that in order to create a plot worth reading, an author has to make it clear what their characters want, and then take it away from them. The rest of the story is then used deciding whether the characters overcome obstacles to obtain what they want or whether they crash and burn. Being an author is like playing God – I am the one in control.

If any of you have ideas for my stories let me know! I will credit you when I'm famous. When my story is complete I will publish it on my blog. I figure if I’m allowing my judgmental class to view my work, I can allow my faithful readers to read it as well. Have a wonderful Thursday all! <3

2 Weeks To Go

2010-04-07T10:34:00.002-04:00

I discovered last night that the two weeks leading up to your 21st birthday are the most difficult two weeks of your non-legal years. Last night we celebrated the birth of our wonderful roommate N. The five of us, along with her boyfriend, went to Mad Mex in the Gateway to celebrate her finally being legal. I’ll admit I was happy just to be able to take in the festivities since most bars are 21+, but since we went to a restaurant, E and I were able to enjoy the sight of N taking her first shot of Jack Daniels – her boyfriend’s terrible idea! When the waitress asked what we would all like to drink, E and I asked for our traditional waters as the rest of the table sipped on margaritas, sangria, and lemon shots. At times I get frustrated because I know there is absolutely no difference between me today and me in two weeks, but rules are rules and my day is right around the corner.

I had no problem not being 21 until this year rolled around. Even as far up to December we all seemed to be in the same boat. January, however, hosted a slew of parties and many bar trips for our friends and neighbors. Now that M is 21, as well as most of my friends and roommates, the anticipation of my birthday is more than I can stand. M informed me of all she did at the bars in New Mexico when she was visiting J, and I was very jealous. Thinking about how I will be able to do all of that soon enough made the waiting even more difficult. Thirteen short days until I can finally go to bars to mingle, dance at clubs, and buy my own alcohol. I have a feeling these next two weeks are going to be the longest two weeks I have ever experienced.

I want to point out that being 21 for me is not about getting wasted every night. I absolutely hate the next day hangover that leaves me in bed for the weekend, and my attempts to get fit would be thwarted by cocktail after cocktail. What I do want is the social experience that comes from being 21 (and one margarita never hurt anyone). There are so many people to meet and so many fun things to do in this world. Once you are 21, there are very few things you can’t do (well, you can’t rent a car, but that’s about it). I’m sure being legal will get old quick. My bank account cannot support bar hopping four nights a week, but I’m hoping that I will broaden my social horizons and come out of my comfort zone by hitting the dance floor. The waiting is hard, but I can say that unlike other people I know, I am legit excited for this birthday. I never had a fake I.D. to get me into bars, so I will truly be experiencing some of this for the first time. I’ll only be 21 once, and I plan on living it up!

Confidence and Cellulite

2010-04-05T09:43:00.006-04:00

At times, I think I would be an excellent blogger for the self-conscious people of the world. I could be a semi-success story of a girl who grew up to love herself. There are many times throughout the year when a woman’s confidence level is challenged. Depending on the person, a number of things could cause this confidence drop. For yours truly, the list includes weddings (if I’m not in a relationship), bad hair days, bikini season, and the beginning of spring. Shorts and tank top weather and I have a love/hate relationship. I absolutely love the warm weather the spring brings, and I absolutely hate the fact that I have to show off my pasty white legs to the world. Luckily, I have been working out consistently since January, and my legs have definitely toned up. Shorts may be bearable this quarter.

B tweeted this morning: “I forgot how much cellulite is on display during the spring quarter.” I immediately ran to my mirror and wondered if my name was going to be added to some cellulite showing website page if I went out in public! My instincts tell me no, but the thought pushed me to start my next challenge in order to get fit. Starting today, I will be writing down everything I eat and drink for the next couple of months. It is proven that if you write down what you eat, you are likely to eat less. My workouts have been going great, but food has been my Everest. I love food too much, and eat more than I should in a day. I also eat late at night, snacking at 10pm during a homework break. This needs to end. Feelings like these have nothing to do with vanity. Okay, they have a little to do with vanity, but if me wanting a hotter body is what is going to get me into the greatest shape of my life, I’m okay with that. I’m determined to live a healthier life, and I’m determined to have cellulite-free legs.

The one thing good about winter is that we get to cover up. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, and lots of blankets hide any part of the body that we do not wish to reveal. Winter is the equivalent to a lazy Sunday that is stretched out to three months. I enjoy spring because it asks more of you. Spring and summer challenge you to be active and healthy. Because I know I have to go out in less clothing in order to be comfortable, I want to be the most comfortable I can be. This includes losing the extra winter weight and pushing my endurance levels so I’m able to keep up with the fast pace of spring, but also switching the chocolate for an apple, and going for a run instead of lying on the couch. Simple changes are going to be how I change my body and my mental outlook on life. If we all make these small alterations, perhaps there will be more confidence in the world and less cellulite on our bodies.

Taking Risks

2010-03-31T20:22:00.011-04:00

First thing’s first. I need to wish my best friend in the entire world (who doesn’t read my blog regularly!) a very happy birthday. She is the big 2-1 today. It is unreal to me that she is both older than me (she looks like she’s still 15!) and officially legal. I have had my best moments with her right by my side, and whether it is attending concerts together (Miley and Britney were awesome!) or traveling together (Myrtle Beach again soon?), we never get tired of seeing one another. Well, I don’t get tired of seeing her face – she’ll have to tell you if she gets bored of me ☺. She knows all of my deepest darkest secrets, and is officially a member of my immediate family. So, to my soul sister and partner-in-crime Meghan, I hope you have the best 21st birthday anyone has ever had. I’m very upset that I’m stuck in Columbus reading Charles Dickens while you are drinking Margaritas at the moment, but I will see you at the end of April and we will finally be buying each other birthday drinks! Oh, and hopefully this post will inspire you to read my blog more often. Xoxo

Now, back to actual blogging. I have a “bucket list” for my life (who doesn’t?), and today I crossed a few small items off of it. For those who don't know, the “bucket list” is the term used for a list of things to do before you die. My list is quite long. Some items on the list are places I want to visit – China, Ireland, and Paris being a few. Others are social challenges such as asking a guy out to dinner. Today, I was able to cross off another social task that I have wanted to do for a long time: I ate alone in public. This may sound funny, but I do not do well in public spaces by myself. I need to always be doing something. I’m that girl at a party who, when her friends get separated from her, takes out her cell phone and pretends to be texting someone, when in reality she is just hitting buttons and looking through her calendar. Pathetic, I know, but I just can’t help it. I decided when I came to college that life is all about taking risks. We need to get out of our comfort zones in order to grow. Last year, I did something I thought I would never be able to do: I gave a guy I was crushing on my phone number (Gasp!). He didn’t ask for it, but I didn’t want our communication to end, so I went for it. I wrote it down on a piece of paper and gave it to him before he left class. To me, how that relationship turned out isn’t what mattered (we stayed acquaintances, but nothing really came of it). It was more the fact that I was able to leap out of my comfort zone and do something that left me shaking as I left the class – I was so proud of my shy, self-conscious self.

Focusing back on today, I have a large gap in between my two English classes, so instead of going home, I decided to get food. Normally, I would grab the food to go and eat in an empty hallway in the English building with my cell phone attached to my ear and my computer on my lap. Instead, I went to Brennans on High Street – a place I have never been to before (another item on my list – eat at new places in Columbus!), and ordered a bagel, soup and a banana. I then sat at a table by myself and ate lunch. I glanced around at people, spent time with my inner thoughts, and did not take out any items to distract me from my solitude. My honey wheat bagel and myself sat there exposed to the world. It felt wonderful, and much easier than I thought it would be! I’ll probably do it quite often this quarter during my break, trying out new eateries of course.

My next goal is to go see a movie by myself. My friend Lauryn did this back in high school a few times, and I remember how jealous I was that she had the confidence to do that. Her reasoning: “A movie came out that I wanted to see, and no one else wanted to go, so I went by myself.” I’m the loser who waits for the DVD release. Eating for ten minutes by yourself is one thing. Seeing a two hour movie is an entirely different ballpark, but I will accomplish it. I will be brave! It may take me some time, but I will take the risks, because being a risk-taker makes you happy, confident, and let’s face it, pretty awesome.

I Love College

2010-03-30T20:40:00.007-04:00

…There are many reasons why this is so: The endless social engagements, everything being within walking distance from my apartment, the exciting football games, the bad food and the even worse beverage choices. College life is wonderful. Today, I discovered my favorite reason why I love college: The stress-free decision-making lifestyle I have become accustomed to. My life is on autopilot when I’m at school. Take a look at my routine for this quarter. Mondays and Wednesdays I wake up, workout, shower, eat breakfast, go to class, return from class, eat dinner, do homework and go to bed at some un-godly hour. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to class, return from class, workout, shower, eat lunch, do homework, eat dinner, do more homework, and eventually crawl into bed. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are my random days. I’m not kidding – my days rarely change. Perhaps this indicates that I’m too organized and obsessive compulsive, but I believe routines give me a steady road to walk on as I travel to graduation.

I must confess I’m making it seem a tad easier than it really is. When professors assign 200-300 pages of reading per class per week, homework can take hours upon hours to actually get completed. And as you saw from previous posts, papers are no walk in the park either, but I’m talking about actual life. I do have a life outside of the English Department at Ohio State (though not a very active one at the moment thanks to my desire to save a year's worth of tuition ). The biggest decision I made today was deciding what toppings I wanted to get on my Red Mango frozen yogurt – I went with bananas and strawberries. Once I realized this, I became extremely light-hearted. I didn’t have to focus on family issues, events I had to attend, or what who was saying about whom. I just had to decide what fruit topping I was craving. On days when you do not have three papers, two books, and a project due, this life can almost be too relaxing. Your body begins to go into sleep mode…all day long. Even while writing this riveting blog post, all I want to do is crawl under my blankets and head off to dreamland. Tonight, I ate dinner while watching Harry Potter with my roommates. There was no late night news program keeping me from digesting my food properly, there were no phones ringing off the hook, and with the exception of a neighbor wanting to borrow a game controller, people were not running through our house at warp speed. It was just the roommates, some good food, and Harry Potter. Spring brings the calm.

Days like today make me think about what life will be like when these days end. When I move back home, I will not have steady routines like I do now. I do not want to say my home life is stressful because mom will get upset and, in reality, it is not a fair assessment. Home is just much faster in every possible way. Actually, the entire East Coast moves at a faster pace than Columbus, so my main goal is to enjoy the calm before the storm. There is so much activity in NJ between this person fighting with this person, this person having a baby, this person getting married, and these six baby showers, two communions and three funerals that must be attended or the family will be shamed. The nice thing about living on my own (8 hours away…with no car) is that I just have to focus on my life and me. And my life is telling me to slow down! I snapped a picture on my cell phone today of flowers growing on a tree on the Oval. I’m literally taking the time this spring to smell the flowers. I love enjoying the blue sky after so many months of gray; I love hearing the birds chirp outside my window (even if sometimes they sound as if they are killing each other); I love walking down High Street seeing people wearing shorts, tanks, and sunglasses. Most of all, I love the light as a feather feeling in my soul now that I have started classes and have a good sense that all of them are completely manageable. Life is wonderful and stress free in Columbus, Ohio…for now.

I want to challenge all of you this week to take three deep breaths and reflect on all of the beautiful sites this world has to offer. You won’t believe how much you will be able to see once you stop and open your eyes.

<3 Peace and Love <3

Hello Spring Quarter...

2010-03-29T18:27:00.007-04:00

Spring break has ended. Spring Quarter has begun. First off, I have to live up to my promise. I told the world that when I reached 15 followers, I would give a shout out to whoever the follower was who put me at my number. I miraculously hit 16 followers throughout the night thanks to some crazy neighbors. Since I’m not completely sure who followed me first, I’m giving a shout out to both “Gibblez” (Gabe), “Grizz Wiz” (Zane), and a shout out to Mr. Zachary Kramer who put me at 14 followers. They have a blog as well (and they should update it!). Thank you for following me friends, and when I become famous, you will still be a part of my inner posse.

Now, back to the grind. I just finished up my first day of classes. It is actually my last first day of class as an undergrad. Hurray! I am taking a "writing fiction" course this quarter that looks challenging and awesome. I’m really hoping to improve my writing and to make it a point to write every single day whether it is in blog form or fictional writing. The class is set up as a workshop, so I will have about twenty other students critiquing my work, which should be very helpful. The only surprise about the class for me was the amount of work that will actually be due. It’s only a 200-level class, therefore, I thought it would be an easy five credits for the spring. Instead we have portfolios of written work due, essays, and many reading assignments. That’s what I get for picking an “easy” class to finish up college.

After class, I ran to Subway and got some lunch and then headed to the dreaded bookstore. My books this quarter only cost me about $120. I know all the science and math majors want to shoot me right now. In all fairness, that’s the cheapest I’ve ever paid for books. It helped that three of the books I need to read I already own. I hate nothing more than going to the bookstore two or three times during the first week of classes, so I buy everything at one time. I have yet to attend my Tuesday/Thursday classes, but since I’m an English major, it’s a safe bet that if they assign you a novel, you will most likely have to read it.

After the bookstore, I went and visited the grand opening of our new Ohio Union. The building is amazing. I still love the new library more (all those books make me so happy), but the Union is fantastic. Today they had D.J’s at all entrances and music inside with so many free gifts and lots of free food. They really did a beautiful job on it. Someone in one of my classes stated that it didn’t seem right building such a magnificent building when so many people are out of work and starving in Ohio. I tend to agree with him. I’m not sure if this Union was planned at the right time, but if Ohio State wants to impress future attendees, they sure have a few nice buildings to help.

After leaving the Union feeling a tad overwhelmed (fifty thousand people really do attend OSU!), I went to my last class on Mondays, which is an American Literature class dating between 1865-1910. I really enjoy American Lit so I think this class will be a good fit. I have already taken the class that precedes it and the class that follows it, so I have a decent grasp on what the class will focus on. My professor seems very knowledgeable and a tad frightening. I think I need a few more classes to see if we will click or not. It didn’t help that while we were talking about regions of the country she said, “I spent last summer in New Jersey and couldn’t wait to come home!” I then told her I was from New Jersey. We will either be best friends or mortal enemies by the time June rolls around.

And so the hustle and bustle of spring begins. There are tons of faces walking around campus coming out of their winter hibernation. Books are being bought, classrooms are being occupied and homework will be completed or not completed once again. There is life to Ohio State once more, and I have ten weeks left to enjoy it.

<3 Peace and Love All <3

Relationship Networking

2010-03-26T16:10:00.018-04:00

It’s no secret to anyone that I have been in a bit of a dry spell in the relationship department for the last couple of years. There are many reasons why this may be the case. I’m too busy, I’m too focused on myself, I wear sweatshirts to class with no make-up on, and sometimes I would rather cuddle in bed with a romantic comedy and my pillow than venture out into the real world and do the whole dating thing. Dating sucks. I don’t think I know anyone who enjoys the dinner with a stranger who you have to get to know to see if you have a spark thing. I’m still hoping for Leonardo DiCaprio to come around the corner – I think he and I would have wonderful chemistry. The problem with my situation is that most of my closest friends are all in serious relationships – some are going on two and three years long (M and J have been dating for what feels like a hundred years). Being single was great when we were all single, but is now getting kind of old. For the most part, I have no issue with third wheeling it. Their boyfriends don’t seem to have an issue with me (at least not to my face ☺), but lately I have been getting that itch that comes when you are about to graduate college and enter reality – no it’s not some disease. It’s more of a ticking that says, “hmm maybe it’s time for you to allow someone to cross into the steel cage that has formed around you.”

Here’s my problem: I’m a very independent individual, mostly because I’ve always had to be. I learned to cook myself meals and do my own laundry at the age of twelve, I was getting myself from point A to point B as a pre-teen, I decided what college I wanted to attend in eighth grade, and I always make my own rules. I'm not sure I know how to share my independent life with another person. I really enjoy my freedom. I can see the benefits of a relationship – the companionship, the partner in life mentality, the bedroom fun. But I also see the problems that can occur in relationships – the scheduling time around someone else, the lack of privacy and personal space, and the fact that in most cases it is taboo to be dating more than one person once you become exclusive. I’m not even going to get into all the crap that can occur to help end a relationship – cheating, heartbreak, one person falling out of love with the other (Jesse James has scarred me for life. If Sandra can’t keep a guy, who the hell can?!). When looked at closer, you could say I’m afraid of relationships. My OCD has kept my life very organized and structured. I do what I want when I want. If I want to stay in, I stay in. If I want to go out and party it up, I do. If I want to go to bed at 8pm on a Friday, no one is saying I can’t. If I forget to shave my legs for a few days, it’s not a big deal. I really didn’t think taking the leap into commitment would be difficult. Turns out it might just be.

Since beginning my job search, I’ve been told networking is key. It’s not what you know it’s who you know. I’m taking this same approach to dating. I read in Cosmo that 70% of women know someone who already knows their future husband. Don’t run away people. I’m not looking to get married anytime soon, but if that is true than certainly one of my many social friends must have a male friend that I could share some fun times with. I challenge my committed friends to find me a date. I’ll give anyone a chance (no serial killers please), and this summer I hope to have lots of fun with new people. Think about it. No one knows you better than your closest friends. I actually think this could be an interesting experiment. Can Kate make a relationship work? We shall see. Because my friends are all so different, I can’t wait to see the different types of men they come up with. And the added incentive is that if the date works out, the person that sets us up will be my top friend until the relationship goes down in flames. This is so much better than Match.com! So friends out there: I graduate June 13th. Start the search for Kate’s Date – that has a funny, reality show ring to it. I know my summer will be anything but boring.

It's A Love Story...

2010-03-25T23:47:00.006-04:00

24 hours later and I have yet to blog about my awesome day in New York. I want to begin with a quick story. It’s the “When I fell in love” story only mine has to do with a young girl and a big city. I don’t recall the very first time I knew I was going to have a lifelong love affair with New York, but it happened somewhere between the ages of eight and ten. My mom and dad did a wonderful job of culturing my brother and I to the max. Mom’s friend Joyce lived on Houston Street for years, and there were so many times when I made her couch my bed and attempted to fall asleep in the city that never sleeps. At a young age, I was able to do all of the things “New Yorkers” got to do, and I was so grateful. I saw the Greenwich Village Halloween parade, bought countless outfits/Halloween costumes at certain shops, ate Mexican food at a local restaurant that had an adorable sombrero on the entry way, ate spaghetti at some of the best restaurants “Little Italy” has to offer (while also meeting a few Sopranos along the way), I went to gallery openings in Chelsea with my mom and her friends when I was just learning to appreciate the naked paintings on the walls as art, and saw countless shows on Broadway – my first show was “Beauty and the Beast” when I was seven. I learned the streets – dad drilled into my head that “midtown is a grid” in case I ever got lost. I learned a few subway lines (I’m still working on the others.) Dad also drilled into us from his days growing up in Staten Island that if you got separated on the subway, you got off at the next stop and waited. As a child, I was secretly terrified and elated that this situation would present itself. It did not until I was 18 years old, and by that time I made my own way to the restaurant without anyone batting an eye. Most importantly, I discovered the place I will call my home. It’s unreal that this thirteen year-old dream is very close to becoming a reality. New York is the capital of the world. There is so much to be found on that tiny island, and you know that if you make it there, you really can make it anywhere. And so, a girl from Jersey fell in love with a city, hoping and wishing that she would add to the growing population of eight million.

Yesterday, I traveled up to New York to see the Broadway show Memphis. My brother’s high school band went on a field trip, and I begged to tag along. I had to meet them at the theatre to get my ticket – which was discounted thanks to student prices! Someone asked me the other day if I was comfortable going to the city alone, and all I did was smile. Seriously, sometimes I prefer it. I traveled up on the train from Metropark and landed in Penn Station forty minutes later. Because I do know my way around so well, I easily went from the train to the subway with zero delay. One stop later, I got out at 42nd street and Times Square. I really lucked out on the weather. It was a little windy, but overall a beautiful day in New York. Spring has really set in. I walked over to Rockefeller Center and on the way stared at every sight around me. I feel towards NYC the way I feel towards my family and friends when I return from college – “I missed you a lot old friend.” I met B’s sister T for Coffee at 30 Rock where she interns. It was a lot of fun to catch up and to learn all about what she does at her internship. It is always wonderful to see a friendly face in a big city.

I left T an hour later and went on a stroll up Fifth Avenue to Central Park. This is why I enjoy going to the city alone. I walked along the park and felt at ease. It was nice to not have to get anywhere. There are times when I seriously want to train it up to NY just to go for a jog through Central Park. I think that is God’s way of telling me it’s time to find an apartment and some sane thoughts. After my walk, I made my way back to 44th and 7th to the Shubert Theatre where Memphis was playing. The Shubert theatre is a well-known theatre that has hosted a number of shows including A Chorus Line, Crazy For You, Gypsy, and Spamalot. Our seats were up in the balcony, but I had no trouble seeing the dancing and singing performed on stage. Memphis is loosely based off of a true story about crossing racial boundaries in Tennessee in the 1950’s. I enjoyed the show and especially thought Montego Glover who played Felicia Farrell – the leading woman – was fabulous. My brother and I discussed how she could give Michelle Obama a run for her money with those arms of hers…I need to start lifting heavier weights! Memphis was my brother’s first Broadway show, and I was very excited to share in the special experience with him.

When the show was over, I walked my way down 7th avenue to Penn Station. The weather was too beautiful to spend it underground. I left the city I love to return home, but I’ll always be back. You cannot keep me away for long. And hopefully soon (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for December/January), I will have my own humble abode in Manhattan where home will be a subway ride away instead of a 35 minute train ride and a 30 minute drive on the Garden State Parkway.

Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel

2010-03-23T19:22:00.007-04:00

"Because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Oh Doctor Seuss. You always know exactly the right thing to say. I was thinking a lot today about pleasing people. It seems all my life I have had this need for people to like me…and now I’m over it. I have grown up so much in the last three years, and the best lesson I have learned is that not everyone is going to like who you are as a person. And that’s totally okay. I have attempted over the years to change aspects of myself so I could fit in with a certain group of people. It became really exhausting. I’m not sure if I can pin point the exact moment I stopped caring what people thought about me. In fact, I’m still working on it - M can vouch for this fact since she gets the brunt of my phone calls when I’m panicking over what this person or that person thinks about me. However, I have definitely gotten much better. Perhaps it was a drama filled senior year of high school that made me say, “Is this going to matter in twenty years?” Turns out it won’t. Or maybe it was the fact that I felt much more comfortable being me and not what others wanted me to be. I knew a change had to occur or else I was going to be a very unhappy college girl.

I’ve become a very vocal person in my late teens and early twenties simply because I care. I care about my country, I care about my friends, and I care about my family. I’m going to be outspoken. I shouldn’t have to apologize for being aware and strong-willed. Those are the two things I love most about myself! Some people may not be able to handle my outspokenness, and that’s okay. I refuse to change who I am as a person so others can tolerate me. At the end of the day, the person they want does not exist, so what’s the point? I know the people I can count on love me for every part of me – even the frustrating, annoying parts, and that is all that matters. It really is kind of liberating. I have finally given myself permission to be exactly who I’m supposed to be.

I really hope others will join me. I’m going to sing as loud as I can, dance as crazy as I can, debate political events until I’m heard, watch lousy TV and enjoy it, call home wherever I please, get jobs in any area that I find interesting and I will not apologize to anyone for these things. I would hope people have more meaningful things to do with their lives than focus on me anyway. I will never hurt people intentionally, I will try to spread love to every person on this planet, and I will say when I am wrong, but there is nothing wrong with being the person you were born to be. I will never listen to dream killers. I will succeed, I will love life, and I will dream dreams that seem impossible, knowing in my heart that nothing is truly impossible. It may seem silly, but I feel like I have a protective shield surrounding me from negative people. I am living the dream in every way, and nothing/no one will bring me down. Life is so good right now. Why waste it caring what others think?

Fun In The Sun...Finally!

2010-03-22T22:19:00.005-04:00

I have been away from the blogging world for what feels like forever! I have not had a moment to myself since I have been home – It’s been glorious! Spring Break has been everything I hoped it would be, and I still have 6 days left to enjoy more. I have caught up with many friends and family members, and I have done all the things that I love doing when I’m home. I’ve eaten pizza, ice cream cones, taken long runs around town, visited the ocean, and I’ve gone shopping. The weather has been absolutely beautiful, but today the rain has decided to grace us with its presence. I think it’s my reminder to lay low and watch a movie. I’m heading up to New York to see a show on Wednesday, and I’ll be up again on Saturday to celebrate M’s 21st birthday a few days early. I am one happy, lucky Jersey Girl.

My final grades for winter quarter were posted today, and all of my hard work (there were so many nights when I didn’t emerge from my room!) has paid off. I will be able to graduate with honors in June, and for doing it all in three years, I’m quite pleased with myself. It’s moments like these when I’m actually proud of all I’ve accomplished. I work so hard to benefit myself, and I know it is going to pay off in the form of a job in NYC. It’s still hard for me to believe that 12 weeks from this moment, I will be arriving home from Ohio for good. How did time go so fast? I’m enjoying my time at home, but I’m really going to make it a priority to enjoy my time left in Columbus. I want to embrace everything that city has to offer so that I can leave with zero regrets.

Instead of blogging, here’s what I have been doing with all of my free time. TV has been quite entertaining over the past couple of days. I have been watching many of the NCAA Basketball tournament games, and my bracket is not looking good. For those who care, Vanderbilt and Villanova were in my Final Four. Oops. I also have been watching the Health Care Reform debates with the same intensity that some people watch a tied basketball game in overtime with 3 seconds to go. I’m not sure what’s more exciting. Watching Purdue win in overtime yesterday or watching the House of Representatives tear each other apart. Got to love politics. I have also been improving my runs. I’m now running between 4 ½ to 5 miles a day. As soon as I get some cash in my pocket, I will be signing up for a race this summer. If anyone wishes to join me on a 5k run, let’s do it together. Running buddies are so much fun!

One week down of Spring Break, and I’m still having a blast. Dad and I are going to watch an old Humphrey Bogart movie tonight, and I’m going to enjoy every moment of my break before I have to go back to reading four books a week and writing countless papers. At least I can say that one week from right now will be the last first day of class I will have as an undergrad. Unreal.

<3 Peace and Love All <3

A Night At The Theatre

2010-03-18T00:21:00.004-04:00

I could not go to sleep before blogging about what an amazing production of Sweeney Todd my former high school pulled off tonight. Wow. Wow. Wow. Now, most people reading this are thinking, “it’s a high school musical. How great can it be?” Well, I am very proud to say that Point Pleasant Borough High School does not disappoint in the Performing Arts department. We are very lucky. I was very nervous about how they were going to accomplish such a challenging production, but these kids did so much better than great. Sweeney was phenomenal, and the singing and the acting by all were both suburb. My dad couldn’t stop talking about it. He was even picking out his favorite scenes (“When she sang ‘By The Sea’ was the best song in the entire show!”). It was a wonderful night at the theatre. It was dark, moving, and at times quite amusing. I can’t believe I attended high school with some of these students. They truly blew me away – and I can’t wait to see where some of them end up. I swear, Broadway or at least off-Broadway productions are not too far fetching for a few of these performers. It makes me miss theatre. I may have to audition for a few community theatre productions when I’m back in town this summer. There’s no better feeling than being up there. This is why I’m so obsessed with Broadway. No show is ever exactly the same, and anything can happen – it’s so thrilling. If you are in the area, please come down and see this show. You will not regret it. Even M told me she thought it was excellent, and she is a harsh critic.

On another note, my corned beef and potato dinner turned out great! I was very pleased with my meal, and no one has thrown up yet, so I think we’re in the clear. I love this cooking in my spare time thing so much that I’m heading to the grocery store and making a surprise dinner again tomorrow night. When my brother’s show is over, chicken breast in a lemon sauce, green beans, and baked potatoes will be awaiting my family. Perhaps this will inspire me to cook up a storm in my last 10 weeks in Ohio. If anyone has some good recipes to share with me, I would love to hear them! And once again, go see Sweeney Todd – you'll be happy you did!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T17:24:00.003-04:00

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone! I finally made it home. This is one of my favorite holidays of the year, because so many family traditions are embedded in it. My mom’s side of the family is mostly Irish (there’s a little Polish thrown in there somewhere), so we have been eating traditional Irish foods and attending the parades for many years now. This is the first time I have been home for St. Patty’s day in a while. Usually I have finals, but this year I am home sweet home, and it has not disappointed.

Today, the color green takes over my house. My mom goes all out on March 17th. There is a Leprechaun in every room, and we even have green flowers! We are doing things a little different this year since my little brother’s High School musical is opening tonight. I made a dinner of corned beef and cabbage. It’s amazing. I live at school for nine months out of the year and cannot find the time to make anything more than pasta on the stove, but I’m home 24 hours, and I’m making an Irish dinner. I have many memories from pass St. Patrick’s Days. My grandmother, on more than one occasion, used to also make corned beef and cabbage for all of us little grandkids. It was a reason to get together and celebrate out heritage. My mom also had an Irish festival up on the boardwalk to raise money for the local Pt. Pleasant foundation. We had a live band – comprised of members of our family of course – and lots of little Irish dancers. PS. My child will be an Irish dancer. Just warning you all now. These parties will forever be part of some of my best High School memories. Some say that today is a day for a lot of people to get together and drink until they pass out, and don’t get me wrong – that’s part of it – but it is also a day to celebrate where we come from, and to spend time with those who are closest to us – and eat some really good food! I really hope I don’t screw up dinner.

Since I’m home, you all can assume that my airport fiasco ended yesterday. I finally flew into Newark at 10 am. I was so relieved to finally get home. I kept my hair appointment and paid way too much money for awesome hair. I’m so happy I got it done though. My ends were literally turning into straw - it was embarrassing. I now have healthy hair that is ready to go out on the town. Even though this weekend was a tad stressful, I needed the downtown to do nothing. I knew that the minute I came home I would not stop for two weeks. My intuition has not failed me. I was very busy yesterday, and today I slept in, went running, showered, ate lunch, started dinner, and here I am blogging, waiting for dinner to be ready. These days fly by! I barely have time to eat breakfast before I’m running out the door. By the way, running outside in Point for the first time since last summer was a literal breath of fresh air! My town is perfect for running, and there are not too many hills, so I don’t die ten minutes in either. It’s nice to be active, and I’m so excited to see all the people I’ve missed tonight. The good things about St. Patrick’s Day, the opening night of the High School musical, and my town, is that everyone knows each other, everyone makes it a point to get out and be social, and everyone wears the green. It’s going to be a fun night!

Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!

<3 Peace, Love, and Four-Leaf Clovers to all! <3

Travel Woes

2010-03-15T19:25:00.004-04:00

There are certain things in life that I look forward to: Christmas morning, my birthday, the first day of summer, and flying home to my bed. When you look forward to these things for weeks and weeks, sometimes the universe enjoys playing sick jokes on you. My flight back to New Jersey – a flight I have been impatiently awaiting for about three weeks now – was cancelled. If that wasn’t bad enough, Continental decided not to inform me of this. I woke up ready to workout, thinking I was leaving at 4:51 today, when my best friend claimed she could not find my flight. I checked myself and saw that it had been cancelled, and no e-mail accompanied this notification. You may ask, how could an airline, especially Continental, cancel your flight and not tell you? They wouldn’t leave you stranded would they? No my friends, they would not. Instead, they book you on the next flight leaving Columbus…and forget to inform you of this as well. Many phone calls on my end were made, attempting to figure out when I could get out of this place, when the automated response informed me I was on the 8pm flight. Continental’s response: “That’s odd. You should have received an e-mail.” You think?

So all is good right? I’m leaving town tonight at 8, and I’m typing this post from the terminal. Think again. My flight tonight is at the moment delayed 2 and ½ hours. My dad called me while I was eating dinner with my family, and told me the frustrating news. After ten minutes of me pleading to get into Newark in the wee hours of the morning and sleep there until it is a safe hour to take the train home, my dad convinced me to get on a flight for tomorrow. So…the story keeps getting better…I call Continental and tell them I cannot arrive in Newark at 2 in the morning. The response: “If you change your flight you will be charged a fee, because you are voluntarily changing your flight.” After a few choice phrases and the word “unacceptable” used about five times, this lovely woman decides to check to see if my flight falls under the “Storm Change” category – that means I can change without any fees. Low and behold it was! Once again…you think? There are towns under water, trees lining streets, zero power for thousands, and wind gusts. Of course my flight is under the “Storm Change” category.

So this Jersey Girl is in Columbus, Oh for one more night. I will be leaving on an 8:30 a.m. flight tomorrow morning and arriving to what they are claiming to be sun and 54 degree weather at 10 am. I even kept my 1:30 hair appointment in hopes that I’ll make it. I’m going with positive thinking all the way from now until I land in Newark. And if positive thinking fails me, at least I’ll be at the airport with 4 flights after mine if I get cancelled. Happy travels all. Hopefully I’ll be reporting from a suburb in New Jersey tomorrow evening.

<3 Peace and Love All <3

"Remember Me" - No Spoilers, I Promise

2010-03-13T23:32:00.007-05:00

I normally don’t blog twice in one day, but since I’m on Spring Break and have finished packing (go me!), I decided to post about my hatred of movie reviewers. I realize I’m not Roger Ebert, but I feel like I have good sense when it comes to movies. Gone with the Wind is a great movie. Gigli is not.

With that said, I saw “Remember Me” tonight with my roommate. There were definitely some slow parts, but all in all, I felt it was worth the nine dollars and two hours of my life. I really enjoyed it. I thought Robert Pattinson’s acting in this movie was a million times better than his acting in the Twilight movies. Perhaps it’s a sigh of relief to not have to look at Kristen Stewart’s depressing face all the time. Whatever it is, I had a wonderful movie going experience…even though I knew the ending before hand from Internet leaks, a movie reviewer and a certain best friend who shall be nameless…(cough cough M!).

Movie reviewers have been bashing movies I’ve wanted to see for a while now. I’m not really sure why I give them so much power over my AMC experience, but it always bums be out when the NY Post gives a movie like “Remember Me” 1 out of 4 stars. I thought it at the very least deserved 2. I would give it 3 out of 4, but I realize it is not Oscar worthy or original. At the end of the day, normal people like you and me go out and view these movies, and I feel like movie reviewers do not understand that – they are far too pretentious. I wanted to see a moving love story set in the city I love – and that’s exactly what I got. Throw in a hysterical best friend that I would love to date, and we have a great Saturday night flick. So please movie reviewers, stop the hating, and sit back and watch a flick for the pure entertainment of it – or just to see Robert Pattinson’s beautiful face.

Two Weeks of Relaxation...Starting Now

2010-03-13T17:34:00.004-05:00

I am officially finished with Winter Quarter 2010. My room has been cleaned from top to bottom so, needless to say, I’m feeling very accomplished. My finals that I was required to turn in consisted on four papers (3,8,9, and 10 pages each) and one final project that ended up consisting of thirteen pages of written work. I jumped on my bed when that last paper was turned in at 8:30 last night, and then proceeded to pass out from exhaustion. Now that the quarter is over, this is the time when I look back and decide what I loved and what I hated about my ten winter weeks. This quarter, the good outweighed the bad. I hated the winter weather mostly. At this point, if I never lay eyes on snow again, life will be good. Check back with me next Christmas when I’m praying for a winter wonderland, but for now, flowers, sunshine and more flowers is all I want to see. I really enjoyed my classes. I switched from a political science major at the end of Fall, 2008, and it was such a great decision. Once again, check back with me when I’m an unemployed graduate in June, but for now, I think it was the right choice. English and I click. I analyze everything in great detail, and enjoy writing and reading. My classes did not disappoint. I took an array of classes from modern fiction to narrative theory and learned so much. But, alas, all good things must end, and I’m not shedding any tears over here.

It now feels great to just lay back in bed and blog while watching movies and packing. There is nothing on my to-do list besides dinner and a movie at some point tonight – and I love it that way! I’m really excited to go home and see all my loved ones. Both the weather in Ohio and New Jersey is horrible at the moment, but I’m hearing sunshine in NJ all next week – which makes me even more excited to travel home. Last year it was quite cold during my spring break. This year, I’m hoping for sunshine, bike rides, and a trip to the local ice cream parlor.

Today makes it officially three months until I graduate college. Three short months with ten weeks of actual classes – good God, bring on the panic attack. It is quite surreal. I try to put time frames like this into perspective. Three months ago was my mom’s birthday. We actually went to the city on the 12th of December to celebrate, and that feels like yesterday. Time really does fly when you’re having fun and too busy writing papers to notice anything else. I just hope the next three months keep me as happy and determined as the last three months have. I hope you all are as stress-free as I am at the moment. It feels awesome. ☺

<3 Peace and Love My Friends <3

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring Break!

2010-03-11T16:19:00.007-05:00

Winter quarter has ended. It has yet to hit me that I have ten short weeks of college left as an undergrad. It seriously feels like it all just began. Everyone told me that three years would fly, and they were right! Since I’m not heading home until Monday, this weekend is going to be my “spring cleaning” weekend. I’m organizing my room and placing all things that will not be needed in the spring into boxes I have lying around. Mom and Dad are driving out for Easter, so I figure they can take them back home for me. I get so crazy during the spring quarter, and I won’t have much time to clean out my room, so I’m getting a head start. How insane is this? I’m beginning the moving out process!

It still is not technically Spring Break for me until I submit three assignments online, but it sure feels like Break! I plan on catching up on lots of sleep that I have been missing out on in the last ten weeks. It will be so great not to worry about anything (except job hunting!) for a couple weeks. I know many college students go on crazy Spring Break trips their last year of college, but I'm not too bummed to be heading East instead of South. I'm spending my Spring Break in New Jersey so I can get started on looking for jobs, and for the simple fact that I really enjoy my homeland. College is amazing, but I miss so many things about the East Coast. I miss real pizza, which I will be having Monday night for dinner. I miss the ocean and the sand – I’m so excited to go step foot on the beach again! I miss driving my car around – I know this one seems silly, but I really love driving around town with my music playing loudly. I’m an excellent car singer. And of course, I miss New York. I would much rather spend my Spring Break seeing three shows on Broadway than be spending time anywhere else. And if none of that makes people content with why I’m choosing the city over 80 degree weather…Bubbles (my cat) misses me quite a lot ☺

One thing great about Breaks is they are a chance to catch up with old friends. I only go home for a quick weekend once a quarter. Since I decided to go to school so far away, I have many people that I have to see over break – I have forgotten what some people look like! Lots of dinners, laughing, and reminiscing will be had by all in four short days! I can hardly wait.

Also, I have an update on yesterday's post. Some famous friends on twitter informed me that Pinkberry (Red Mango’s competitor) is much better (and their website has a cute jingle – check out the link!). I’m going to try this when I head to NYC next week, and I’ll let you know which one I like better. New frozen yogurt experiences make me smile. Have a wonderful end of the week everyone!

<3 Peace and Love <3

Healthy Desserts!

2010-03-10T21:12:00.004-05:00

For several reasons, I’ve been trying to eat healthier lately. The changing of seasons from winter to spring always makes me reach for the apples over the brownies (bikini season is almost upon us!), and I’ve been doing a lot of research on nutrition in the past few months. I’m slowly weaning out many processed foods, and I’m beginning with all frozen meals. Lean Cuisines, while giving you perfect portions and low calorie options are packed full of sodium, and the chicken they serve is not real chicken (Gross!). Knowing this, the idea of a Lean Cuisine makes me queasy. I’m trying my hardest to only eat the real deal. Grilled chicken only (no more red meat), fresh fruits and veggies, and the occasional bowl of wheat pasta – Unless it’s natural, I’m trying not to eat it. My body feels a million times better when I eat right. I have more energy and a happier attitude. It’s a win – win situation.

Now that I’ve shared with all of you my healthy eating ambitions, let me inform you that I also have the biggest sweet tooth ever. It took all the willpower I had to turn down cookies today for my last day of class. (They were freshly baked and warm too!) I just couldn’t cancel out all of the hard work that went into my run this morning – but I literally had a debate in my head (What’s one cookie, right?). I’m always eager to discover new hot spots that both curb my cravings and leave me feeling like I didn’t destroy three days of intense cardio in one sitting. Today I discovered such a spot.

My roommates have been raving about Red Mango – a frozen yogurt café. It serves non-fat, all natural, gluten-free (For B!) frozen yogurt. If that information doesn't send you running to the one nearest to you, there is more. They have an array of sides, many of them fruit such as berries, bananas, peaches, and pineapples to add to your delicious dessert. I may never eat fake ice cream anywhere else. I also checked locations: They are in Manhattan – can this get any better?

This evening, I ordered the regular size (which is plenty!), original flavor (tastes just like soft serve vanilla) frozen yogurt with strawberries and pineapples. The only negative is that each side is 50 cents, so my fruit cost me an extra dollar, but I still feel it was worth it. All together it came to $4.75. I personally don’t find that to be an unreasonable amount of money for dessert. The great taste and the healthy feeling afterwards made it worth the trip. I may go back tomorrow! If you have a Red Mango located near you check it out and tell me your thoughts!

Peace and Love All <3