Light of Day

I saw it today, and it wasn't from inside my classroom. I actually walked in the daylight! I loath these dark mornings and evenings in the dead of winter. Ahh... how nice it was to see a blue sky.

Morning Surprise

This is the soft blanket of white that greeted me this morning on my way to work. I had no idea of forecasted snow. I've been so wound up about this freezing cold weather to look past the temperature when I've checked weather.com the past few days. The snow is mostly melted away tonight, but it was definitely enjoyable to see it falling.

Getting Inspired

Over my break from school (in December), I had the chance to pump myself full of inspiration to do something creative in 2009. My inspiration/creativity will hopefully come through in my writing (pushing towards something more than just a blog... we'll see where it goes), my photography (hoping to get a new camera Friday!), and through any other creative avenue I can find. I've recently started reading the Shutter Sisters blog more frequently. This blog is filled with inspiration for creative and wonderful pictures and many wonderful photographers who share their work daily!

Today's post asked what inspires you. As I thought about how I didn't take an inspirational picture today, I was led to the inspiration that's been burning within me. I recently got my thoughts onto paper in my current journal. So I pulled out the book and camera and then went to work attempting a picture that would start to display my inspiration.


In spreading inspiration, I helped my sister make the final step in creating her OWN blog! Last night, she figured out the blog name that made her happy, I purchased the domain name, and she was set free to begin blogger. I spent the whole day in anticipation for her first post... I definitely enjoyed it (but maybe I am a bit biased because she wrote really sweet words about me! I hope she knows how much I think she rocks as well!) It's kind of fun to think that I helped inspire her to start it, but now, she's off to inspiring her own creative mind and sharing something wonderful with the world! Such a creative spirit, I can't wait to see what she comes up with! She's already started inspiring me!

(The one picture I did take during the day didn't fit right with the theme of inspiration! I somehow couldn't quite find my co-worker and my socks inspirational. The funky socks do show how we both lack a desire to do laundry and thus both get stuck wearing the most ridiculous socks to work because we are both down to almost nothing. Yes, it does inspire me to do laundry -- but obviously not enough, as I didn't do any tonight and will probably be wearing mismatched socks tomorrow. I just hope I can scrounge up a pair from the corners of my house.)

City of Dreamers

I like what this writer wrote about living in New York and how the writer referred to it as "...a city of dreamers, not of picket fencers." Check out the rest of the post about New York City living and why it's so amazing at Brooklyn Based.

The thought that I live in Brooklyn has shocked me at random moments throughout the last 6 months. I am living my day-to-day life and have gotten into so many habits that I often don't think about where I reside. Yet, every now and then, I snap back to the memory of life before New York and realize just how different everything is.

I often wonder if I'll ever get so tired of this city that I'll actually want to leave. Now, for the most part, everything is still fresh, new, exciting, amusing, interesting. Living in this city truly does inspire, and I cannot quite find the words to explain it. How will I ever keep my days so interesting when I no longer live in this city? How will I function when I can't walk everywhere or catch a subway? What will shock and surprise me when I no longer have New Yorkers to pull another one on me?

A Year of Reading

I have a few books I've been craving that I picked up from being on hold at the library tonight (now that I've finally figured out how to put books on hold from my personal computer AND the library was actually open when I showed up!!). ... I already have a huge stack sitting in my living room, and a few more books I picked up at the Strand last week. (I could make a living out of reading, if it were an option!) Currently, I'm reading Jane Eyre, one of the books I picked up at the Strand. I've decided to read more classics this year, as part of my New Year's Resolutions. (Ironically, my new neighbor friend from this weekend is also reading Jane Eyre, although she's a bit ahead of me.) I guess I was afraid I might not enjoy this particular classic as much as I am (I think the thought of "classic" makes me think I'm going to yawn... stereotype...). It's not as fast of a read as modern-day chick-lit, but it is definitely pulling me in, as I jones for more when I'm not holding the book in my hands.

One of the books I got today is for the book club I recently joined. We are meeting later this month to discuss the book Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. It will be my first book club ever, and I have to say I'm completely excited! I hope I enjoy it, despite the fact that it's on a school night, and I'll probably exhausted the next day! I think I was inspired to join a book club when I moved to NYC because some of the chick-lit I've read prior to the move featured women with fabulous lives and great book club meetings!

The other books I have in waiting include:

• Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot (The third book in a series my sister got me into... somehow it snuck out without her or me being aware of it!)
• Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
  
• Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell (the actual book in which the show is based)
  
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

As far as classics go... I'll be adding Wuthering Heights, by the other Bronte sister to my reading list soon. (I didn't dare even look for it at the library tonight, as I already have enough words set before me!) Stephanie has agreed to make it a goal to read classics with my this year... which we'll probably do more of in the summer with our break from school and a schedule that allows us to meet at Central Park and lay out on the lawn reading (and enjoying wine). Anyone have a favorite classic or two to recommend? Leave a comment so I can add them to my reading list!

Peace is in the Paint

Saw this bright and peaceful trashcan on my walk home from the library tonight. It was one nice thing I got out of my trip... Books, sadly were not included. After taking the horrid 2 train out of the way, I walked up to a big "Closed" sign hanging on the library doors. Wonder if I'll be able to motivate myself to go tomorrow...?

Penny Slots in Atlantic City

Saturday morning, Seth's brother, Ethan called and propositioned a trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for an evening of gambling. Last time, Seth joined two of his brothers and enjoyed a brother time. This time, he talked me into going. (I only agreed because I had very little to do for school this last weekend -- amazing, surprising, and definitely worth taking advantage of!)

It was an enjoyable time. Most of mine was spent on penny slots, with a few ventures to the nickel machines. I didn't win big, but even better, I didn't lose big either. (Only $10 poorer.) S and E didn't win big, and E didn't lose as big as he did last time... but they both still lost. Bric was the winner this time. He was also determined that I was not having as much fun (I was a bit tired from Friday night's adventures, but by no means was I not having fun.) He was sure the only way I was going to have fun was if I let loose and spent some money in the casinos. I assured him that if I did that, I was sure to ruin my evening! I Hate losing too much money, especially when I have a whole list of things I could spend it on if I really wanted to give it away (including the Digital-SLR that's been hanging out at the top the last few weeks).

Port Authority

Port Authority Entrance near Time Square

Wall of Music

SUBWAY ANECDOTAL
I've decided to attempt to start something new. Considering that I spend almost 13 hours a week riding the subway, not counting any weekend travel I may do, I am going to start a once-a-week post of a moment from my subway riding hours.

On our way to Port Authority, near Time Square, we traveled down a long tunnel. While there were many interesting things going on as we made our way, the wall of music stood out to me most. As an avid iPod listener, I have often wondered what it would be like if people could hear my music as I walked by them. It would be like sharing a part of me in passing, in a similar way that I do by my outer appearance. I'd imagine how everyone would have various types of music surrounding them, depending on who they are. When I saw these "advertisements" covering the walls of the tunnel, I was reminded of these past thoughts.

We didn't slow down to plug in our headphones, but did see a few people wondering along and listening to the various people's music. I'd be interested to see what sounds go with the different people. Since I didn't plug in, I am assuming it is music you hear... I guess I could be wrong?

To Playa on Friday Night

Friday night ended up being more eventful than I had planned or imagined I could handle. My teaching partner and her boyfriend drove down from north of the city for dinner, and we were joined by a couple other friends. Our dinner destination was Playa, a new restaurant in Park Slope at the corner of 5th Ave and President St. The evening was filled with great conversations, well-deserved end of the week drinks, delicious guacamole, and even some octopus (see picture above).

The food wasn't too bad. The guac was great. We enjoyed spicy popcorn while waiting and were treated to a cheese bread, compliments the house (probably because of the long wait on our food). It seemed that our food took a little longer than it should have, and with all the food I had prior to getting my entree, I was almost too full to eat the Chicken and Avacodo Arepa I had ordered.

After dinner, we joined a few friends at the Patio, a bar that I hadn't been to before. We were only there for a moment before we headed to a friend's place to drink and play games. Our night ended around 2 as Seth and I made our way home. We headed home with all intentions of going to bed, until we greeted some of our neighbors outside the building... As we got cold standing outside talking, we all decided we'd head inside to hang out a little longer. The hours of the night faded into morning - I had officially been up for more than 24 hours. Despite my exhaustion, the night was great fun, and S and I are excited at the prospect of making some new friends, and even better, friends that are so close!

Since I moved to NY, I've had many moments where I've missed home and missed our circle of friends (immensely). While I still miss them all, daily, I'm excited that our friendships have grown and continue to expand here in NY.

Frustrated with the Landlord

This month was my first for delivering the rent check. Somehow, I've always talked Seth into taking it down to the box in the entryway. I headed down, a pen in my hand (to copy down the "Pay To" part), an envelope, and two checks. This was all I had, and turning in the checks was the only thing I was doing down there. I filled in the "Pay To" part on both checks and put them Both into the envelope. I then pulled the plastic piece off to reveal the sticky part and sealed the envelope. After this, I dropped the envelope in the little black (and very unsecured) box. I wadded the seal piece and took it with me as I headed down to the basement to change over the laundry. I threw the seal piece in the laundry room trash and headed back upstairs.

Two days later, I get a call from my landlord informing me that he only has half our rent. He goes on to tell me that he did not receive a check from me and needs me to get that turned in right away. ... Except for the fact that it was in the SAME envelope as Seth's and he assured me he had Seth's rent check.

Me, being emotional and worried, started crying at the thought of a check missing and my stupid landlord being to blame. Despite me informing him that IT HAD TO BE in the same envelope, he acted as if he didn't care, didn't want to hear about it, and pretty much refused to check again, demanding that it was not there. When I asked him if the envelope had looked like it had been messed with, he didn't even give me the piece of mind in answering the simple question with a yes or no, but instead retorted that NO ONE would ever get into the rent box (that, as I mentioned prior to this, is not secured or locked in any way... and even more, found in the entryway of a building (1) whose door sometimes does close securely and (2) has packages, mail, and magazines stolen from the tenants on a regular basis). As soon as I got home, I checked the laundry room trash (yes, by checking I mean dug through) and found the plastic seal piece... but No check... not that I would have thrown the check away anyway... but Just In Case.

Turns out, after conversations with a few other tenants, he has lost checks before. Later he finds them, but never admits to being a complete idiot, despite the obvious proof against him. I have a few choice words for this man. I have officially concluded I live under the roof of a slumlord... Refer to previous window issue... and many other issues which I haven't posted about previously.

To the Deli for Kindness

I think from now on I'm going to stop by the grocery store after a bad day. The deli man is really kind. ...It may seem weird to some of you, but I never had the deli people offer a sample before I bought my meats and cheeses... I know it's simply a grocery deli counter, and more than likely, I'll still get the same meat, even after the sample... but it's also nice to have someone be kind... Kind interactions don't come as often here in this city as they do in the Midwest. (And truly good customer service is HARD to find here!)

Watercolorist

This picture is from one of the windows, Bergdorf Goodman, in which I posted pictures of in December. I loved all the details of these windows and could have stood outside peering in for hours (if it hadn't been soooo cold).

Riding Above the Trees

On our lift up Okema Mountain, Vermont. I enjoy trying to get some cool shots by shooting right into the sun.

"Happy New Yea" in Vermont

Happy New Yea! Picture above taken at a local Taco shop in Ludlow, Vermont (the town close to where we stayed).

An account of the Vermont trip... for those of you who are wanting to see pictures and hear about our trip. I didn't take a ton of pictures. Mostly, I spent the time relaxing and enjoying friends (there were lots around - 20 people total in the 6 bedroom cabin). I did convince myself to go snowboarding one day, and I'm still sore from it. Vermont is definitely not Colorado... It's not as pretty, there is a lot of ice on the slopes, and it's extremely COLD! It didn't really seem like we were in mountains either. I think of Mountains... These seemed like very Big hills (or baby mountains)... Vermont, you are definitely definitely no Colorado.

A few notes on our trip:

• The 4 and half hour drive took us over 7 hours from the city to Vermont... thanks to the lovely snowstorm that arrived as we were heading out of the city. I got to sit in the backseat of a car between to guys. Lovely and comfy... Or not.
  

• We rung in the New Year... except that it is a little bit of a foggy memory for me... and one of my friends from home had to deal with me yelling "Happy New Year" and "I love you" over and over again on the phone! I blame it on the Whiskey (which is no longer a friend of mine!!)
  

• I made some new friends!! I was actually scared to go, so many new people! I knew some people before the trip, yet, I didn't even know many of them that well... Plus All the New people... Despite my fear, it was very enjoyable, and I'm sure we'll see most of them again (soon, I hope!)
  

• Talking about the people. 20 people in a cabin kind of scared me. We've done the group trips multiple times, and most of the time, there ends up being Some sort of drama. Drama doesn't entertain me much, and I was hoping it would avoid me all together... And it DID! 20 people stayed together in a cabin for 4 days, and we all survived with no major issues. The person who put all of us together as he planned the trip did an amazing job! It's nice to be surrounded with chill, respectful, fun people. (Not that I wasn't on my past trips... maybe we are all just a little more mature now as "adults".)
  

• Vermont may never find me boarding down its slopes again. I was pretty miserable. Seth convinced me to go to the top of the mountain. We took a fairly new boarder along with us, thinking it would be fine since we were heading down a green. Except for the fact that it was so cold and the wind was blowing sharp pieces of ice/snow in our faces. Even worse, the run kept going flat and then uphill again and again... which hardly allows me to snowboard, let alone a beginner (I have trouble with the going-too-fast thing so I cannot keep my speed up to go uphill all the time). Whole long story... we ended up walking, it was 4 p.m., mountain and lifts were closed, sun was going down, NO one was around (I could have been dying in the middle of the run, and no one would have known). I cursed Vermont for over half an hour, as my feet froze, and I feared frost bite. (I actually played out the consequences in my head for what I was sure was frost bite - how would I possibly be able to live in NYC? My frost bitten feet would prevent me from Ever walking again... Ok, so I had a little personal drama!) Eventually, we came to a steep blue that S informed us we Had to go down in order to get back to the lodge... K and I stood and watched him as he fell and slid down... then as he got the bright idea to sit on his snowboard like a sled, between the bindings. He literally flew down the hill. With no chance of running into anyone and a very deep desire to be back at the lodge, K and I both jumped on our snowboarding sleds and flew down the mountain behind him. It may have been the One thing that truly saved that day of boarding. (In the future, I think I'll plan to head up right before the lifts close so I can be one of the last ones coming down... and then, instead of boarding, I'll just sled down on my board! It really was one of the best sledding experiences ever!)

Me, sitting before the run from hell began. Doesn't seem so bad, right? Don't let it fool you.

Seth's face after the Horrid trip down the hill.

• New Year's Day was celebrated with a wonderful dinner at a local steak/crab/lobster restaurant. It was an enjoyable evening with the group, despite our 2 hour wait. (Side note: All the restaurants in this town looked like big houses. It gave the town a cozy feeling.)

• There was about a foot and a half or more of snow!!! We also witnessed one of the best snowfalls I've seen in my life! It was a perfect, peaceful snow, where the flakes just float down from above, as if in slow motion. A few never made it to the ground, as they were falling slow enough for me to easily catch with my tongue. (Check out the vid!)

• Hot Tub. Need I say more? I'm not going to lie, I've been craving a little warm weather after hearing about so many peoples' amazing trips to warm climates and beaches... But a hot tub in the cold snowy weather is just about as nice! (PLUS, I don't have to worry about sunscreen!)

Here are a few of the guys with S before I ran through the cold snow to join.

• There were fellow Twilight fans/readers among us... We spent a part of the last evening in the cabin discussing the movie, the books, everything while the rest of the group enjoyed football! :) It was very enjoyable! I've just finally finished the 4th book today, and K was getting ready to start it... I hope we can all get together after she finishes to discuss "the saga" without having to worry about giving anything away!
  

• Did I mention I'm still sore? Despite that, I want to go back!!!