Look Out Carrie Bradshaw-

Listening to "Boston" and "Twenty Years" by Augustana.


I've started to notice I have a very "Carrie Bradshaw-like" commentary that runs through my head while I walk around the streets of New York. In the words of Carrie, when I'm observing things "I can't help but wonder..."

Today I did a lot of wondering, exploring, and a ton of walking...my feet have the damage to prove it. I will never again believe the labels on shoe boxes that say "extra comfort." I don't care how much you pay for extra cushioning-you're still gonna get blisters.

I woke up and went for a run. I've been excited all week to begin the search for my comfortable running route in the city. Today I wasn't terribly successful at finding the best one, but I did get a run in. I had studied a map that had a spot on it listed as "Chelsea Park." I'm not sure that I found it, but what I did find was a park with a mission and a huge line of people waiting to get in. The minute I heard a man talking about going to beat someone up with a bat, my run began. I had walked to the area that I thought was Chelsea Park, but before I knew it I was flying back towards 34th street and just decided to run around the city.

Now I get why people in New York seem to call it jogging instead of running, because if you went off into a full out run on the busy sidewalks, you wouldn't get too far before you'd take out another pedestrian or two or ten. I was satisfied with jogging though and it went by quickly because of the energy and the buzz of all of the people and the packed sidewalks. At one point I accidentally ran to the Times Square Area. Who does that? Me apparently. I stopped paying attention to the street numbers and suddenly I was there.

The unfortunate part of jogging in the city is all of the stopping at the crosswalks. Jog. Stop. Jog. Stop. That's kind of how it went. The search for a close park continues.

In the afternoon I ventured out to Washington Square Park and the Village. It was a beautiful, warm sunny day. Not to make another Sex and the City reference, but I always loved how Carrie would dress her best regardless of whether she was going out on her own or "with the gals." I decided I wanted to feel good today and so I dressed up a bit and went out by myself.

This leads me to my message for all men out there. Cat-calls are only appreciated when they come from fabulous gay men who are just complimenting a woman's outfit.

Washington Square park was packed as expected. It was fantastic to sit and people watch. There were a few things I loved most: the old men sitting with chess sets waiting for someone to come and challenge them, and then the older couples sitting on the benches. Today was the only day in my life I wished I knew how to play chess. These little old men were the scrappiest guys I've ever seen and I'm sure they were full of great stories.

As for the couples, I was in love with the little gray haired men sitting on the benches next to their wives. It was such a great contrast to the younger, somewhat "boho" crowd that was gathered there. I remember one couple in particular where the man had his walker resting next to him while he sat on a bench next to his wife. I think they were holding hands and just watching the people around them. I just love how the different generations gather at that park. The older people didn't seem to mind the street performers, the girls in bikinis, or the tattooed guys hanging out. Everyone was just there to do the same thing: enjoy the beautiful day.

From that point on my people watching seemed to lend itself toward couples of all ages. Carrie always talked about love in the city, and she's right-there's a lot of it. I was rather surprised to see how many openly affectionate people there are walking around. I remember feeling that way in Rome, which I've decided is the public make-out capital of the world. But here it wasn't so much annoying pda, it was actually pleasant to see how happy people looked just holding hands. It's even more interesting because of the extreme variety of people out on the streets.

I guess it is the writer in me that likes to look at these people and wonder, "What's their story? How did they meet?" I saw so many people that looked exceptionally happy. Instead of making out, the men would do things like kiss their girlfriend on the forehead or even the hand while walking across a sidewalk. I guess it was another refreshing contrast to the busyness of the city. Amongst the hustle and bustle, are people who are simply enjoying the moment they are in.

While wandering the streets of New York, you pass hundreds and thousands of other people through out the day. It's pretty incredible to think each and every one of them have a story. Old people, couples, the homeless, the hot dog stand man. The fuel for a writer in this city is endless.

To cap off my Carrie Bradshaw themed day, I found myself standing next to Mario Cantone, aka "Anthony" from Sex and the City, at a crosswalk on my way home. As much as I want the "Jen" experience in New York, I don't mind little coincidences that add to my fantasy of living out Carrie Bradshaw's life. ;)

Tomorrow is the first day of my internship. Can't wait!



I can't get enough of these roof top views. Last night at the W!


Washington Square Park!


Obsessed with the view from even my bed and out the window...and this is why they call them "crack-berries."

I've never been so lost, I've never felt so much at home

Listening to: "I woke up in car"-Something Corporate.

Reoccurring theme of the day: Things happens for a reason.

Today I got to officially experience waking up and thinking, "Wow. I am actually waking up in New York City!" Surreal.

I woke up early and headed down to the dining room at the W for some much needed coffee. A really cool coincidence occurred while I was down there, and it wasn't even 9 a.m. yet! I actually met another girl from Oklahoma and turns out we even have a ton of mutual friends. We figured this out because of the off chance that I had an OU shirt on while she was wearing a TU shirt. Out of the 400 people here, its pretty crazy we ran into each other, especially early in the morning when most residents are enjoying sleeping late on a Sunday. Guess my coffee addiction paid off today. Thus, example number one of how things happen for a reason, or at least fall into place.

Later in the morning I headed to Penn Station to take my first train ride...well at least in the states. I felt a little nostalgia for my summers past in Europe, when it was common to take the trains.

The ride to Port Washington (on Long Island) was a little over thirty minutes. The train was pretty quiet and actually very peaceful. I think I could get used to taking the train over driving-so much less stressful.

I arrived in Port Washington around lunch time where I met a friend who is living there. It was so great to see a familiar face right when I got off the train at the quaint little station in town. The town and the station looked like something from a movie set...it was everything I would have imagined about a little town on the water.

As if the town itself and the beautiful, sunny weather weren't already picturesque enough, the restaurant we went to for lunch was literally right on Manhassat Bay. The place-Louie's-was buzzing with guests and gave off a great vibe. We sat in the shade on a huge patio out back looking out onto the water. Not too bad for my second day in New York, aye? The people there were incredibly nice, and, with the risk of sounding like a tourist, I loved their authentic, East-Coast accents.

I also learned an important lesson at lunch: eating clams is an art form. I'm usually pretty adventurous when it comes to trying food, but looking at the clam in the shell was the closest I have come to chickening out. However, I overcame my fears of the slimy texture and gave it a try. And you know what? They're really not half-bad. My lack of poise while trying to figure out how to eat it off the shell is an entirely different story...

The relaxing lunch was exactly what I needed. Another example of how things fall into place: connecting with a friend from home, half-way across the country at a gorgeous little town on the East Coast. Who would have guessed that 5 or 6 years ago? It was really comforting to talk to someone who was raised in the same place as me, yet has moved away and is loving life out here. It just reassures me that there will be good people in my life-no matter where I go.

Overall, the afternoon in Port Washington was lovely and I hope I get the chance to explore there a little more at some point. Two days ago I was feeling like 10 weeks was going to be a long time to be out here-but now I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with the endless amount of things I want to do/see/accomplish while I'm here.

When I got back to mid-town around early evening, I had one goal in mind to complete my extremely satisfying day: I had to ride the subway. Dun, dun, dun.

I've done it before, many times, in New York, in different cities, and even different countries. Yet for some reason, the subway is the most intimidating thing for me right now. But I am determined to get it down. At lunch my friend mentioned something about how I should just get on the subway and get off somewhere and figure it all out. I don't know if he knew I was gonna take his advice pretty literally.

I randomly picked Central Park as my goal destination, and I made it there-eventually. I took the 2 from Penn Station to 72nd and Broadway where I discovered a fun afternoon market taking up the street. I decided to enjoy the little detour and wander up and down the street smelling the different cuisines and people watching.

When it came time to find the park, my great sense of direction first led me the wrong way where I discovered Riverside Park. I was so proud of myself as I first walked up the entrance and then quickly let down when I realized this was definitely not central park. However, this park definitely has good running path potential.

Feeling a little directionally disoriented, I decided to use the GPS on my phone to find my location in relation to Central Park and of course it gave me the "long way" to get there...meaning I walked at least a mile more than I should have to get there, but I didn't mind the exercise.

I've been to Central Park before, but I was proud of myself for setting a goal and actually achieving it. By the time I reached the park it was a little after 7 and I wanted to be back in mid-town by 8, so I decided to walk on the sidewalk next to Central Park and head back to the subway. When I finally hit 72nd street, I realized I had to at least run into the park a few steps so I could say I fully achieved my goal.

Here is yet another example of things panning it out in a pretty cool way. Of all the park entrances I could have randomly chosen to run in and out of, I randomly chose the one with a sign for "Strawberry Fields." Yep, I walked right into the IMAGINE memorial for John Lennon. This was epic was for me because this was the only thing I really wanted to see in Central Park during my last visit to New York but I never could find it. Now, completely by chance, I walked right into it.

So, after a day of cool connections and coincidences, I have reaffirmed my belief that things happen for a reason. I have a pretty firm belief that the more we allow ourselves to appreciate and recognize these cool things that happen "by chance," the more they will continue to occur.


On a side note and completely unrelated-when I was riding one of the 2 elevators at the W yesterday, I couldn't help but notice how rickety-and oddly slow one of them moved. I have a HUGE fear of getting trapped in an elevator. Well, when I woke up this morning-that same elevator had an out-of-order sign on it that was later removed in the late afternoon. However, upon entering the hallway this evening I came across an employee and a repair man trying to calm a woman down who was stuck inside that same elevator. Apparently it jammed again. So I'm thinking stairs from now on. It'll be good exercise, right?


Life is good :)



In no way does this picture do any justice for how beautiful the view was of the bay from Port Washington.


View of Manhattan from the Train.


The market I stumbled upon. I think he is smiling for my picture, what do you think?


I found it!! Yay!


Speaks for itself.

Day One

A few days ago, my mom warned me, "now just be prepared things don't always go as planned."

Somehow, moms are always right.

Like this morning, the day I leave for NYC for the summer...also the FIRST day I have EVER overslept my alarm. I had the brilliant idea that despite however deep my R.E.M. cycle would be at 4 in the morning-I would still wake up to my alarm and have time to shower and get to the airport before my 6:30 a.m. flight.

Well, there's nothing like being woken up 5 minutes before you are supposed to be in the car and on the way to the airport by your mom-who is panicked because evidently my alarm hadn't woken me up an hour earlier. So much for the shower!

Upon my late arrival to the airport, I learned an important lesson. Evidently, you cannot walk up to the counter 25 minutes before your flight and expect to check in.

Thankfully, the extra cheery woman at the counter re-booked me and I eventually made it to NYC only an hour later than planned.

Now I get to write about the fun stuff.

My lovely cab driver, in what I'm assuming is a typical fashion-depsite the nice tip I left him, dropped me off at the bottom of the stairs to my apartment building, leaving me to fend for myself with two over-sized suitcases, a back pack, and wedge heels. I'm sure I was screaming "newbie" as I pathetically tried to drag my bags up the steps to the entrance.

We will call the place I'm staying the W. It's women only, very 1950's. It's designed for girls who are interning or who have just moved to the city and don't have a permanent residence of their own yet. Let me just say that I kind of love the building. I feel straight out of an Astair-Rogers movie. The building is beautiful and I can say that I am pretty fortunate to have the opportunity to stay here, definitely not too shabby for an "intern residence." Plus, when else will I ever have the opportunity to have a roof top terrace that looks out over midtown and right at the empire state building?

The building is 13 floors and even has a garden connected to it. Are you kidding me? A private yard to lounge in-with grass and trees-right in the middle of the city? I'm just going to keep pretending this is all mine and I don't share it with the 400 other people who are living here too :)

My room is small but its perfect for what I need. It's cozy and once I get some magazine cut outs and photos taped up on the wall, it will be my little home for the summer. Also, a major plus of a small room WITH a sink-I don't even have to walk down the hall to the bathroom to brush my teeth! I feel pretty lucky too, because my window looks out over the garden, although I'm sure almost every view from this place is amazing.

I'm interested to get more familiar with the other residents here. So far I have seen a wide range of people. From older, wire-haired women to the many young Europeans to other college girls like me, it should be interesting. I noticed at dinner a lot of people just sit off on their own, on person to a table that seats four. This is both good and bad...I think this is definitely a place where you can be invisible if you want...and while I don't mind the independence, I'd still like to meet at least a few other girls staying here.

I could go on and on, but I think for now I'm going to go lounge on the roof for a bit. It's going to probably be an early bed night after my extra early morning-near disaster. But-I need to go see the city lights at night from the roof..going to take my IPOD to add a soundtrack :)

Here are a few pics....unfortunately these were taken from my phone but pretty soon I'll pull out the real camera and get going with some good photos!










A small quarter of the roof top.



View from the rooftop-Empire State building!


View from my window!



Night view from the roof at the W!





Oh, I almost forgot. Dear mister homeless man, No-I do not want fries with that shake. But thanks for giving me the opportunity to feel like a real new yorker being hassled on 34th street!

Summer in Manhattan

Hi Eveyone!
I decided to ditch facebook for the summer and create a blog to record my experiences living in Manhattan this summer. I'm going to fix this up and make it a little prettier later this week...

I arrive in Manhattan Saturday! Lots of pictures and stories to come :)