Travel Journal: New York City

Next week this blog becomes a travel journal for eight days.  I am returning to the scene of the crime of my post college youth.  I lived in New York City from June 2002 until April 2007.  From an East Village sixth floor shared walk-up apartment to a first floor garden view studio in a doorman building, those years were some of the most trying and triumphant years of my life thus far.  The first time being away from family and friends who had say or influence on a regular basis.  It was a time that I had to rely on myself in the present and not in the past.  New networks were made through both work and church.  I found my way.

In order to make this trip as productive as possible, I made a list.  (I love lists).  It's a combination of places I enjoyed visiting while I lived there and ones that I've never experienced, but hear good things about.

EATS
Shake Shack:  seriously, this will be the first time... and I called myself a New Yorker for five years?
Luca & Bosco in the Essex Market:  My cousin (our Grandmothers were sisters) started an artisan ice cream company this last year, and I have been dying to taste it.
Momofuku Noodle Bar:  I've read about them these last few years and even bought their book, but this will be the first time I've eaten at one of their establishments.  I just want a bun...
"Duck":  The Peking Duck House was a dining ritual that I attended with some of my co-workers on an almost monthly basis.  This is the ONLY restaurant that I will eat Peking duck.
Ess-a-Bagel: No trip to New York is complete without eating a bagel.
Union Square Greenmarket: it's difficult to pass this farmers market without buying something.
Dominique Ansel Bakery (home of the Cronut):  I may have to try a Cronut.  Yanessa said that she would wait in line at the ridiculous hour required to get one.  We'll see.
Pizza:  Lombardi's and Grimaldi's are the obvious choices, and I've had both, but I'm going to leave this open to something new perhaps.

EVENTS/DESTINATIONS
The Met: I was hoping for a fashion exhibit, but no such luck.  However, I may join a guided tour titled, "Fashion in Art."
Young Designers Market:  I used to love stopping into this market, that has since moved to a different location.  It's inspiring to see people selling their creative wares.
East Village shops:  I spent my first two and a half years living on 12th street between 1st and 2nd avenues.  I loved this neighborhood and all it's small shops.  Many weekend afternoons were spent meandering back and forth down the streets.
San Gennaro (Sept 12 - 22, 2013):  A fun little festival and there's food involved.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden:  I never made it here before, but I hear it is just beautiful, and it's free on Tuesdays.
The High Line: "is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side."
The Skyscraper Museum: Urban Fabric, Building New York's Garment District (Aug 5 - Oct 31, 2013)
The Public Theater:  I was hoping to see one of the free Shakespeare in the Park performances, but none were available.  However, a few dance companies will be performing in Fall for Dance.  I just may have to pick up a free ticket and go.
Prada:  The SoHo store is always inspiring and worth a quick visit.
Karaoke: I found my voice at Karoke Duet... more than a few times.
Central Park: It's an obvoius pick, but with 843 acres, it cant be ignored.

CINEMA
I always enjoyed going to the movie by myself while living in NYC.  It was just too easy, with so many show times, to just pop in for a viewing.  I hope to take in one good not-so-mainstream movie while I am there.  I'll keep my eye on the following theaters:
Landmark Sunshine Cinema
Film Forum: Russian Ark looks interesting
Paris Theatre: I hope Salinger will still be playing

In addition to this list, I look forward to seeing good friends and wandering upon some only in New York spectacles.




 

58. Organize Shoes: A lot of them

A trip to The Container Store, check.

Photograph shoes, check.

Print iPhoto contact sheet, check.

Trim and adhere to boxes, check.

During the pre-baby months (if we must, I'll call it nesting) I organized my shoes.  While the shoe organizing system is not as well designed as I would have liked, it gets the job done and keeps my shoes clean, neat, and most importantly easily found.  All objectives met. check.

What is it with women and shoes?  I'm a woman who loves shoes, and can honestly say I don't really know why.  I used to think that it was because they always fit, but having a baby disproved that theory. 

Then I considered a moment I shared with my friend and old roommate, Yanessa, while watching the Sex in the City episode in which Carrie is requested to take her new expensive shoes off at a baby shower, but upon leaving discovers that they had been stolen. The episode follows Carrie as she trys to figure out how to deal with an awkward situation with the party hostess.  In the end, she receives an identical pair of shoes from the hostess, but the moment that got Yanessa and I involuntarily bursting with excitement and giggles was the way Carrie skipped onto the city street just after reuniting the designer shoes with her feet.  The part is only two seconds long but we both felt it.  The excitement and happiness of having an elegant pair of shoes on your feet. The moment was completely lost on Yanessa's boyfriend at the time, but he was in awe of our shared reaction.  He thought he had missed something, and he did.  The experience of wearing a beautifully crafted pair of high heel shoes.  Of course, I know there must be some drag queens out there that know exactly what I am talking about.

Here are my favorite shoes.  A pair of Chanel shoes that I purchased from an off-price shoe store on 1st Ave in the East Village.  Heels, of course, in the perfect shade of peach satin with pearl and gold trim.

57. Have Baby: March 28th 2011

After reviewing my list this week, I discovered that I completed some of the projects.  I haven't been that lazy after all.

Project #57 Finished!  Not quite on time, but pretty darn close.  March 29th 2011.  OK, OK, it wasn't exactly something I had a choice about finishing, but hey, I'll take it.

She started off looking like this...

then this...

and now, she is like this...

 

I considered adding, "Raise Child: Lifetime" to my list, but the idea that possibly, one day, I could have everything on my list checked off gives me hope.  I never want to cross that one off my list. 

This Blog is Unfinished

Perhaps I should just add this blog to my "List." What is so difficult about keeping up on a blog?  These last few years, I've written dozens upon dozens of posts in my head while away from my computer.   However, the moment I am even in the vicinity of my computer I stall, lose momentum, and forget.  It's seems so easy to record a few thoughts, goals, or memories, and select "publish."  What is my deal?

This isn't anything new for me; not continuing with a journal.  I recently came across a beautifully bound journal that I requested and received in order to begin writing down my life as a young teen.  Probably inspired by a Judy Blume book or two and the young womens program through my church.  This wasn't the first time I had come across it, as there were several missing pages in an already sparse journal.  Pages that a slightly older teen tore out because the thoughts were clearly too embarrassing and sooooooo immature.  Yes, not a very effective way of journaling.  Blast my older teen self and my life long need for perfection. 

So, here I go again.  For the sake of building on family history, declaring and reaching goals, and celebrating achievements, I begin with the best intentions to make this, if not a daily habit, a weekly one, and most importantly, without tearing out pages.

The Sexy Dress...

... as it came to be known. Named by a good friend because of it's nude lining and black lace. Well, and perhaps the body skimming fit might have had something to do with it. It is one of those dresses that seems to look great on everyone... of various shapes and sizes. This dress was actually loaned out for a number of years. Upon returning to California after my 5 year stint in New York City, it was returned to me. It looked as good as the day I bought it... sometime in 1999.

I, of course, brought it with me on my Honeymoon to Maui.

However, recently I felt the need to put it on once more. Before storing it away with most of my clothes that no longer fit because of the great weight gain that goes hand in hand with pregnancy. Here I am.... 24 weeks, and in the "Sexy Dress." I just couldn't help it.

57. Have Baby: March 27th 2011

Finally, a project... my own little science project.... that I can not procrastinate. She, the little "Texas Ranger," is due to arrive some time around March 27th 2011. While I can't wait for her arrival, I am also extremely grateful for the 9 months of getting used to the idea of this life changing event. Here I am at 22 weeks and 3 days.... just yesterday. I now look pregnant and not just like I've eaten 1 too many snacks at work.... thank goodness. Who knew I would be so happy to have a big 'ol belly.
Perhaps now, I will actually finish project 56.

49. baby bibs: create using leftover fabric

It has been a while.  I know.

About a month ago, I started another project on my list.  It wasn't exactly an unfinished project, but it is something I have wanted to do for a while.  Create baby bibs to give away as gifts.  The trick is that I only allow myself to use supplies that I currently have on hand.  I find that when I approach a project in this way, I tend to get more creative.

So, while my project is not finished, I did make a good start.  I cut and pinned together 15 bibs.... using up 1 fabric and a good chunk of another.

Here is a shot of where I left off.

Sadly, it is still in the middle of my small living room.    Next time, there will be binding... and they will be FINISHED!