It felt like home

So, today... for whatever reason was an off day, emotionally/ mentally that is. Stress was abound and it didn't help going to work and finding out that I was in a station I hate. Add this conversation to the mix:

Me: Did I hear you say you were going home?
Guy I work with: Yep! I'm going home!
Me: You gave up your Park Ave. shift?

side note: Park Ave. is where you wanna be. Those are the tables right on the windows that run parallel to the NY skyline and thus are more requested and stay full longer = money, money! And this guy had given it up to someone else so he could go home.

Guy I work with: Yeah, I get free money. What do I need to work for? (referring to his partial unemployment check... his government funded money... paid for by people like me)
Me: Shaking my head and walking away while shooting him dagger eyes

It really peeves me off that people take advantage like that. People who could be making money... give up good shifts and then blow their money on things like going out and getting drunk every night. And then you have people like me... who have a plan and are focused on the future and do what it takes, even if that includes working 7 days a week, 4 jobs, and living off 3 days paid wages. BUT, since I was never actually scheduled full time and am now losing money since they can't fill my shifts, I can't apply for partial unemployment. Not that I'd want to live off other people's money, but it'd be nice to know there's help if I was really in need. Or that I could use that money to help in continuing to support the plan of a career. Not just because I needed the money to maintain my plasma screen, iphone, drinking habits that I had acquired because I made way too much money before the bottom dropped out of the economy.

Surprisingly... I was feeling better by the end of the night. Reason being: an actual lighting storm. I'd say the first one since I've been up here. I'm amazed by the lack of rain. I didn't realize that torrential rain pour downs didn't occur everywhere at least every once in a while. I don't think there's been an honest to God good thunderstorm since I've been here: you know, the one with dark skies, lighting like crazy, sheets of rain, and car alarm rattling thunder. I surprisingly miss those!

And with as much as I've been missing Florida, the lighting was a warm welcome! It made me feel at home. Plus, it was beautiful! The sky lit up purple, and reflected off of the Hudson. Out of the corner of your eye, you'd almost think fireworks were going off!

On a happier note: Dani and Chels will be here in 4 days! What a much needed break!

Spoke too soon

There were snow flurries the morning after I posted that blog....

go figure

Quick picture blog

in honor of SPRING! (I actually saw the first signs of it yesterday)

View of the city from the library across the street (from my apt.)

I'm pretty sure this was taken before I was reacquainted with snow

From what I can only assume was the last snowfall of the season

Visual confirmation that the weather will be beautiful quite soon!

I'm so excited about my first spring season in years. Poo on FL chill to hot and humid!

Now the whole world can know ;)

It may be a small thing.... but isn't that what life's about!?

http://www.klompching.com/kcg/contact.htm

I've officially been listed as intern at Klompching Gallery in Brooklyn, NY :)

*Hi Debra (I imagine there's a good chance you came across this in your google alerts!)

For those of you that aren't caught up... yes, I intern at two galleries. One is in Brooklyn and the other is in Chelsea. Debra is the co-owner of the Klompching Gallery in Brooklyn with her husband Darren. They have been so kind as to include me on their website. (Thank you both!)

:)

Reasons I'm glad I moved to Jersey and not NY

Don't think you'd find all of these in one neighborhood in Manhattan:

1. I can afford a door to my bedroom and a kitchen (with a dishwasher!)

2. There's real grass in my neighborhood... more than 3 large patches within half a mile

3. A police station is literally across the street and multiple cars patrolling quite frequently.

Realized how much I really enjoy this one while walking my dog at 3am and seeing 3 patrol

cars within 10 minutes... and NO, that's not 'cause there's high crime. It's because I live in a

good neighborhood with a PRO active community. :)

4. A 24 hour grocery store within walking distance

5. A Walgreen's LITERALLY right next door for when I don't feel like walking the 4 blocks to the

store.

6. A Zagat rated 4 story bar/ restaurant complete with roof deck 1 block from my door

7. Last stop before the Lincoln Tunnel

8. A landlady who's actually a very pleasant individual (and a great one at that) and not just

some grump who only wants my money but never fixes anything.

9. Within 10 minutes I can get to:

-NY

-Walmart... that's right! An actual walmart since I'm still not rich.

-Hoboken (the 'it' place in jersey)

-The grocery store

-The restaurant I work at (when I get a ride it's only 2 min.... otherwise, 15 min. walking... still

not too shabby!)

I'm sure there's more... but as you can see by the time I'm posting... my brain capacity is not up to par.
On the other hand... we don't see fun things like this in my neighborhood:

(that, my friends... I think you ONLY get in NY)

Snowing, again....

It had started to warm up... and I thought spring might finally be on its way. A few days ago it was in the 50's and I was wearing a 'light' (by my now standards of light) jacket and short sleeves underneath.

Spring... not so much. Not yet anway. It dipped back down into the 30's (and 20's I'm sure) and the snow came blowing in. Started late on Sunday night and I woke up to lots of white everywhere. And I've noticed that after the snow (which comes after a chill, but when it's warming back up just a bit) that there's always an icy breeze after the snow stops. It comes through and freezes everything on the ground. And it's one of those bone chilling, biting winds.... that'll make you miss FL. Why did I move to NY again?

Anyway, took the opportunity to play with Keona in the snow some since he seems to enjoy it.

Felt the need to take my camera with me that morning. Glad I did!

I almost gave up on blogspot

.. and then I had some pictures I wanted to share. Obviously things did not go so well using Contribute to post pictures. It almost did... and then I got an error message. Go figure. So, I took a break. It's been busy anway, lots to do. Nothing too exciting though. I intern, then I work, grocery shop, do laundry, clean, then intern again. And so go my weeks. I've found that when people ask "How was your week?" my response is "Good." I realized that's my reply because I can't seem to remember anything bad happening off hand, therefore it must have been good. Everything just blurs together. Apparently that'll happen to you up here. I'd heard of the New York minute, but to experience it is a whole different story. Then end of February will mark my 5th month in NY/NJ. I don't believe it!

Dani, friend and essentially my 'little sister' just booked her tickets to NY today! I told her that since I couldn't make it to her graduation in FL, I'd treat her to a trip up here. (Don't worry Chelsea, you'll get yours next year ;) It is next year that you graduate...right? When did we all grow up?!) Dani will be in town April!! And if memory serves me right, it'll be her first trip to the big city! Is it April yet?

Work was amazing this weekend! Long... but amazing. I worked 4 days, which is the most in one week at the restaurant. It was a nice treat. Hopefully it's a sign of things picking up!

Val, here's a picture for you:

Passed this window walking in Chelsea. Knew I had to take a picture of it.

And now for the pictures that inspired me to post again.

I took these a few weeks ago and just got to working on them. I wanted to share and the immediate reaction was to post them on facebook, but I try to stay away from putting my personal work on there. Hopefully, at some point I will post these on my website, but for now... the will live on blogspot.

Enjoy: