"Bright Lights, Big City"

I've gone back and forth about how I should document this trip on here.  Should I document each day individually?  Or would it be best to dedicate different posts to different parts of the city in which we visited?  It wasn't your usual trip to NYC being that my sister and I have been a few times, but Drew, her boyfriend, had not so we had to do some sightseeing, but it was just a fun trip for the most part.  If I was honest with you and myself, I would say this trip pretty much consisted of us eating and drinking our way through Manhattan.  Seriously.  Our friends Abby and John have lived in the city for about 5 years and we have never been to visit so we figured it was about time.  Or John had finally bugged my sister to the point where she was tired of hearing about it, either way.  John's twin sisters live in the city with their husbands as well so there was no shortage of people to hang out with at any point during the weekend.  There was so much going on and we visited so many different places in no particular order so I have decided to simply document what we did each day.  I'll start from the beginning.  This was the first and probably not the only instance that we screamed we're from Alabama.

Friday

I drove to the airport with my sister and her boyfriend, Drew, on Friday morning at 5:30 in the AM.  I have no pictures of this because we were ill and tired.  We had a straight flight to NYC so we got to bypass ATL.  I had mixed feelings about this because I do love airports.  I love them mainly for the people watching, and there is no better place than Hartsfield-Jackson.

We landed around 10AM, got our bags, and began the journey to Manhattan.  Just before we made it outside to the sea of yellow cabs and foreign people, a man walked up to the three of us and asked if we needed a ride.  With me busy answering work emails on my phone, Drew staring off into space I assume, my sister was left to make the decision.  This is not something she enjoys doing.  She told him yes and agreed to a price of $55.  When she finally got my attention, she asked for my thoughts.  I thought it was a little high, but what do I have to compare it to?  We were just ready to get out of there.  We followed this man out into the parking lot all the while praying he wasn't going to shank us and take all of our money.  I didn't feel like dying that day, especially not in Queens.

As we turned the corner, I noticed the front end of a Lincoln Towncar poking out from behind an SUV.  He was headed straight for it.  He continued to walk toward the white car, and as we got closer I realized that what I was thinking was in fact true.  We had just been scammed into renting a sketchy, white stretch limo.  I think we all uttered "sh*t" in unison.  It was classy y'all.  Thank God for tinted windows.  I HATE myself for not getting more pictures.  For example, the empty decanter on the "wet bar" had apparently been shattered since the bottom of it was rigged up with duct tape.  There was also something that was stuck in the frame of the car because you could hear it roll back and forth along the side as we drove.  This was all hilarious in and of itself, but the real laughs came from watching the faces of other tourists lean over on the street corners trying to get a glimpse of whatever famous person they thought would actually ride in this thing.

Even though we felt like complete morons for being duped by this Shaft wanna be limo driver, it definitely gave us a lot of laughs and was a great story to start the trip off with.  We had to hear it several times throughout the weekend seeing as how John made sure that each and every person we came in contact with heard the story. 

 

After dumping our bags at Abby and John's apartment, the three of us and Abby made our way down to the West Village for some lunch at a small restaurant called The Little Owl.  It was so delicious.  I had the surf (cod) and turf (filet) tacos and an El Levante to drink, which was freshly squeezed pom juice, pom seeds, and champagne.  It was a tiny place, but it had a lot of character.  It was also located in the bottom of the building that is shown on "Friends."  I would have never known looking at it in person.  It's more recognizable in pictures.

After lunch, we took the train down to see the One World Trade Center.  I had no idea they had made this much progress on this building.  I was amazed!  I was a little sad that we didn't get to see the memorial, but apparently you have to either purchase tickets before hand or wait in a very long line. 

One World Trade Center

We walked through St. Paul's Chapel, which is located directly across the street from where the twin towers once stood.  The church is over 250 years old and was where George Washington and other members of Congress once worshiped.  The pew where George Washington sat the day of his inauguration is on display for visitors to see.

St. Paul's Chapel

St. Paul's was left untouched after the 911 attacks.  Some believe this is due to a miracle sycamore that shielded the church by taking the brunt of the debris.  I got chills when I heard that.  It really makes you wonder.  After the attacks the church served as a place of rest for the recovery workers of the WTC site.

This was my favorite display/memorial.  It is dedicated to all of the rescue and recovery workers after 911.  There is a badge from every police force and fire station that came to help.

Seeing all of this reminded me of how united our country was after the attacks.  There were American flags everywhere you turned.  Everyone was proud to be a part of this country.  People would do anything for their neighbor regardless of their differences.  During that time, there were no issues with race.  It didn't matter if you were a democrat or a republican.  The fact that we were all Americans and we were all in this together was the mindset.  How did we get so far away from this?  It upset me tremendously.

Next, we made our way over to the Financial District where we saw the last 4 or 5 Occupy Wall Street protesters.  I wanted so badly to get a picture of them because they were quite the characters, but I would have been directly in front of them on the sidewalk and I probably would've gotten slapped by a pretty filthy hand.  I'm pretty positive they hadn't seen a bar of soap for quite some time.

We attempted to find the big bull, but he was hiding somewhere so we moved on to Battery Park.  Statue of Liberty, Smatue of Liberty.  I was much more interested in the urban farm they have going on there!  It was so cool!  The Batter Urban Farm serves as an outdoor classroom for children in the area.  Teachers hold their regular, everyday lessons as well as lessons centered around farm-based learning experiences.  Such a great idea!  I can't wait to have a yard so that I can grow fresh produce.  

It's made out of bamboo and the architect designed the farm in the shape of a wild turkey in honor of an actual wild turkey that has called the park home for the past few years. 

The rest of the day was spent wandering Bond Street and Bowery.  We stopped here and had some wine.  We stopped in the Billy Reid store.  It was painful.  I'm obsessed with his clothing and the inside of this store.  It's decorated beautifully.  It's exactly the style I want for my house someday.

Billy Reid - I love the chandelier and mounted deer surrounded by the china

Billy Reid - The color contrast with the old, dark wood and white walls is probably my favorite part

Billy Reid - So beautiful and so southern

Restaurant where Edgar Allen Poe was known to frequent

View from Emily's terrace

After a great first day, we grabbed John and went to dinner at BondSt.  Everything was delicious.  The drinks, the food.  All of it.  I highly recommend.  I wanted to take pictures of the food because it was all so pretty, but I felt like it would have mortified John and probably everyone else at the table.  So you will just have to be ok with this one from the bar.

This was incredibly long.  I apologize.  I could have gone into much more detail so be glad.  Next up, bottomless bellinis, mardis gras, and Korean karaoke...

Back Intact

So I've been wam blasted back into reality and it doesn't feel good.  New York was SO much fun.  I loved getting to see old friends and make some new ones in the process.  It was a long weekend, but definitely worth it.  By 10PM on Monday night when we arrived back in Birmingham, I was so ill and tired I dumped my suitcase on the floor of my bedroom, headed straight for the shower, and then to bed.  There's nothing worse than the grimey way you feel after being on an airplane. 

Anyway, work has been crazy busy since I got back and is only going to continue to get worse for the next month so things may get sparse around here.  I plan to turn off gchat and hopefully practice some self control with facebook until this race is over at the end of March.  We'll see how it goes.

Back to ma trip.  I love New York.  Several times I found myself wondering if I could live there.  I know that I couldn't move there indefinitely and never come back to the South, but the positives of living in the city greatly outweighed the negatives.  Everything is fabulous.  Everything is also expensive.  However, in my daydreams I had an amazing job where I could afford a brownstone in the West Village.  So even though the dreams were delusional, they were sweet.  Obviously, having the funds to live how I would like to live in NYC was one of the drawbacks.  And it was a big one.  Maybe I'll share my fantasy NYC life in a future post after sharing about this past weekend.

Got to get back to work, but stay tuned for the story of how we arrived in Manhattan.  I felt like a big, fanny-pack wearing tourist, and definitely felt like I was from Alabama.  Tootles, y'all!

Bon Voyage!

Our internet's down so I'm attempting a post from my phone for the first time.

We leave for New York Citay tomorrow morning at 6:30 in the AM. It's gonna be an early one, folks. Pray I don't shank someone in the Birmingham airport. They're not the sharpest tools in the shed down at Shuttlesworth International. Also pray that we don't crash in the middle of Appalachia. I'm terrified of people in flannel playing banjos.

I'm off to finish packing! My suitcase is already almost full and I'm no where near done. Ugh, bulky winter clothes be damned! I'm so over you.

Happy V-day!

I actually forgot about Valentine’s Day this year.  I’ve never really been the type to celebrate this holiday (if you can call it a holiday).  Even in the past when I have been in serious relationships I never really cared to go all out for my significant other.  I feel this is strange for me because I am somewhat of a romantic.  I think it may have something to do with being forced to share those feelings and how it can only be done through giving gifts.  When you take out the element of surprise and replace it with obligation, the romanticism seems to fly right out the window.

For some, this is a meaningful day that should be celebrated with someone they love, and if they’re without a relationship, it seems to remind them of that fact in a painful way.  I think this is totally understandable!  It’s hard being single.  We get comfortable being on our own, but having someone to care for and love is such a wonderful thing.  Finding the right person to love can be a challenge for a lot of people, including myself.  So even though my feelings about V-day aren’t all cotton candy and rainbows, it’s V-day all the same so I thought I would share some of the things I’ve learned while navigating these waters.  I realize that I need all the help I can get as well, but here are a few that I am sure of along with some feel-good movie quotes.

*Be yourself.  I feel that in order to attract the right person, you can’t be anything other than who you are.  Don’t work to make sure your interests mirror those of the person you are trying to attract.  It’s too difficult and exactly as I said, it’s work.

“This is love.  Al, you’re never going to find another girl like her in a million years.  Believe me, I know.  I’ve looked.” – Genie, Aladdin

*It’s about give and take.  Showing someone how much you care for them and support them and making sure they know it reinforces a relationship. 

“I’ve never had a moment’s doubt.  I love you.  I believe in you completely.  You are my dearest one.  My reason for life.” – Cecilia, Atonement

*Listen to those closest to you.  Love is truly blind.  Your friends and family have the ability to look from the outside in, and honestly, sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves.

“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?  Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love.  And I'll no longer be a Capulet.” – Juliet, Romeo and Juliet

*Looks will fade with time.  Look to connect with a person’s character, intentions, morals, and values.  They’re much more attractive qualities.

“Each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can’t strike them by ourselves.” – Laura Esquivel, Like Water for Chocolate

*If a person likes you and wishes to know you better, you’ll know it.  If they don’t, you’ll be confused.  I stumbled upon this recently and it couldn’t be closer to the truth.

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” – Harry, When Harry Met Sally

*Always continue to meet new people and make new friends.  You can never have too many friends in my opinion.  They simply make life more enjoyable.

"I have a dream too, but it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. It's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with.” – Kermit the Frog, The Muppet Movie

*No one is perfect.  Everyone has faults and that’s what makes them interesting.  Try not to have a certain “type” of person cemented in your mind.  You never know what type may surprise you.

“I'm tired of the fantasy, because it doesn't really exist. And there are never really any surprises, and it never really…Delivers. And I'm tired of it. And I'm tired of everything else for that matter. But I don't ever seem to get tired of you, so...” – Rob, High Fidelity

*Let the past go.  Having your heart broken is terrible.  It physically hurts.  However, as hard as it is, try to think about it as a good thing.  If you cared that much about someone who wasn’t right for you, imagine how wonderful it will be when it is right and you have someone that loves you the way you deserve to be loved. 

"I wonder how many people never get the one they want, but end up with the one they're supposed to have." – Fried Green Tomatoes

*Fighting is healthy.  It’s a form of communication in a relationship.  When you have arguments and the underlying issues are addressed and understood, they can strengthen a relationship.

“Wouldn’t it be lovely if we were old? We’d have survived all this. Everything would be easy and uncomplicated; the way it was when we were young.” – Katie, The Way We Were

*Don’t settle.  Going through numerous people and not finding someone really special is exhausting.  Know that you deserve someone who you’re crazy about in every way possible.  Sticking around in a relationship with someone because it is convenient isn’t fair to you or to the other person.  Care enough about the two of you to hold out for someone truly special.

“You is kind, you is smart, you is important.” – Aibilene, The Help

*Listen to yourself.  I believe God gives our hearts little secrets as to what is best for us.  It’s up to us to slow down enough to listen.

"Let your heart guide you. It whispers so listen carefully" – Littlefoot’s Mother, The Land Before Time

Like I said before, I am no relationship expert.  I know just as much as the next person, but it never hurts to share and learn from one another.  I know this was a pretty cheesy post, but it’s a lot less cheesy than some of the V-day flower arrangements I’ve seen over the past few days so consider it my gift to all of you!  Worthless knowledge.  Enjoy!

And if you have a significant other, enjoy your night in, night out, or night in bed.  Whatever you choose!  If you’re single, eat a bunch of chocolate and drink a bunch of wine.  Not because you’re sad, but because V-day is one of the only days it’s considered acceptable!  HAPPY V-DAY!

Well that was a kick in the chicklets...

So apparently I’m lazy?  I just took a personality test I randomly came across.  I’ve taken several of them in the past, and I usually get the same results.  However, this time I chose to do a little more research into my personality type.  It was quite disheartening.  Here are my results…

ISFP - "Artist". Interested in the fine arts. Expression primarily through action or art form. The senses are keener than in other types. 8.8% of total population.

Take Free Jung Personality Test
Personality Test by SimilarMinds.com

Introverted (I) 51.61% Extroverted (E) 48.39% Sensing (S) 52.94% Intuitive (N) 47.06% Feeling (F) 72.73% Thinking (T) 27.27% Perceiving (P) 58.82% Judging (J) 41.18%

I’m characterized as “The Artist”.  This all makes sense and is pretty freaking accurate.  I was pleased with what I saw even though I felt like I should be wearing a lot more skinny jeans and flannel than I currently do.  Anyway, it was all unicorns and rainbows until I stumbled upon some additional characteristics that go along with my personality type.  I came a crashing down hard.  I was shocked at how negative it was.  Here is a little bit of what I saw and my response to some of them…

But the kicker was when I looked down and saw this…

Disfavored Careers - professor, marketing, academic, criminal psychologist, politician, comic book artist, actor, psychoanalyst, dj, judge, entrepreneur, attorney

I laughed hysterically upon reading that.  I was also disappointed that my dream of becoming a dj will most likely never come true.  You win some, you lose some.  Just in case there are other ISFP’s out there, here are some careers that are recommended…

Favored Careers - sports management, pediatrician, school teacher, carpenter, veterinary technician, singer, health educator, stay at home parent, hospitality worker, pastor, athlete, physician assistant, photographer, health care worker, shop assistant, stylist, website designer

Someone please tell me how singer and pastor are on this list if you have a crippling fear of drawing attention to yourself.  Makes no sense.

But in all seriousness, I do realize that these tests group personalities of 6 billion people into about 16 different types.  Each individual person is so different in his or her own way that obviously these results don’t completely and totally represent each person’s entire personality.  I also realize that I give myself a hard time probably more than I should.  I looked at some other sites and found a more positive analysis of the ISFP. 

Fact is, I am truly happy with the woman I have come to be.  I have a few faults (just a few…) as does everyone else in this world.  That’s what I always have to remember.  No one is perfect.  At the end of the day, if you can look in the mirror and honestly say to yourself that you tried to be the best person you could be, that’s all that matters in my mind.  Surrounding yourself with people that love you for who you are will make those faults seem so trivial because truthfully, the world needs lazy people, right?  RIGHT?

What personality type are you?  I would love to see who I'm dealing with here.  You can find the test here.  Make sure to come back and leave me a comment with your results!

Thirsty Thursday

I've always loved blood oranges.  Something about them seemed so gourmet.  I love the color, the faint sweetness that doesn't overpower your palate, as well as the wide variety of delicious recipes that can be made with this beautiful, tasty fruit.

They are a little hard to find seeing as how they are only in season a few months out of the year, but when I find them I stock up.  There are many different recipes that I love that include blood oranges, but one of my favorites is the Blood Orange Margarita.

Please excuse my photography skills.  I actually have a nice slr camera that my father gave to me, but the genius forgot to give me the usb so for now we're all stuck with the Canon Powershot.

If you can find the fruit, this cocktail is super simple to make.  It does take a little effort if you don't have an electric juicer, but I promise it will be worth it.

First, you slice those babies up and squeeze the mess out of them to get every last drop of deliciousness out.  Plus, they cost $2.99/lb so you wanna make sure you get your money's worth if you're poor like this guh.

Make sure to use a sieve if you have one to strain the pulp.  It makes it much easier.

Now that you've got your juice, it's time to create your lime simple syrup.  For your syrup, just heat equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves.  When it has cooled, juice your limes and add the juice to your syrup.  Watch for the pulp when juicing your limes cause, "Pulp can move, baby!"  Anyone?

Moving on.  Here's where we get that party started...

Glad you can't read those price tags because my genius self waited until Sunday to get the alcohol for these and the state store was closed so I had to go to the regular package store.  I may be living on the street next month.

So for your convenience, here is the recipe typed out...

2 parts tequila
2 parts blood orange juice
1 part orange liqueur
1 part lime simple syrup
Fresh lime juice
Slice of lime and lime zest for garnish (optional)
Salt for rim (optional)

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a martini shaker, shake well, and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.  Enjoy!

Lead Legs

So I had my second "long" run for the week yesterday afternoon.  I ran about 5 miles around my neighborhood and crawled the last one.  I didn't even count that one on Daily Mile because it wasn't worth it.  For the first 5 I felt oddly well.  I felt strong.  I love when that happens.  I was dreading it so much because it's been a while since I have been in the groove of running consistently so I was thrilled to start off this run feeling so well.  Sadly, when I hit the 6th mile, the daydreams of lollipops and kitten whiskers soon came to a sudden halt and I felt like my legs were about to fall out from underneath me.

I walked the last mile because I felt like dying and it included a rather large, curvy hill.  It was hard enough walking up the thing.  Anyway, after I fed my face I felt like a million bucks.  Even though my legs were still a bit wobbly, I had a ton of energy.  Until I hit the wall...

Some guy friends coach a 6th grade basketball team and they had a game last night.  I went to support the Honeybadgers and it did nothing for the coma-inducing migraine that developed after hitting said wall.  It was awful.  I took some of my sisters migraine medicine and hoped I didn't have an anyerism.  This happens a lot when I run.  I have done some research because this is going to have to be retified if I want to continue training, and I have come to the conclusion that I'm not hydrating enough post run.  I'm going to try and drink a coconut water afterwards to see if that helps at all.  Hopefully it will be worth it because that ish is expaynsiff!  We shall see!

I'm off to try and get a haircut seeing as how my sister told me last night it was looking stringy.  Thanks, B!

Stay tuned for a cocktail recipe coming soon!