6 weeks down

Yesterday and today it has started to hit me that I'm living in the biggest city in America, over 8 million people call it home. Everyone just goes about their days and sometimes it doesn't feel so big. The best small town feel came at these places for me:


Starbucks on 3rd Avenue: I had an assignment for my online marketing class due and I needed to get to a quiet study spot. It felt like I was in Tallahassee waiting on Allie to show up for a procrastination talk session. But, instead I'm in NYC! Sometimes it feels so nice to have the familiar mixed with the unfamiliar, an iced latte with a window seat in the "city that never sleeps" nice combo!

TJMaxx: If you don't already know, this is by far my favorite shopping destination! Well, bad news bears for saving money, there is a TJMaxx less than a block from my office. So, last night called for a little after work retail therapy. Seven Jeans for 20 bucks, who can resist?

Nannies in Madison Square Park: I wish it was my "nanny," but until I can see her in August... the Nannies here will have to work. I eat lunch in a beautiful park near work, and I always pick a seat near a baby stroller and Nanny... strategy is: they love to talk! So, it's great company and I get to learn a little about their lives. Lovely women who sincerely devote their time to others, makes for good conversation.

xoxo,
em

side note: since MJ's death inspired me to make a few iTunes purchases to help get him out of debt: P.Y.T. (pretty young thing) from his Essential MJ album.

top ten

Blues for supper? I was looking through some old pictures and found this gem, it reminds me of going crabbing at money bayou and lazy summer days in Florida. Those memories brought on this post from the GRITS guide to life book (which was a gift from my dear friend, a Georgia GRITS, Cason.)

You might be a Yankee if... (excerpt from GRITS guide to life)
(I added a few side notes that seem appropriate as of late)

1. you don't know what a Moon Pie is (or a tomato sandwich, the other AMPR intern and I walked through the greenmarket at Union Sq. and I bought fresh home grown tomatoes and said I was craving a tomato sandwich. She didn't know what it was, and said "that must be a southern sandwich!"
2. you eat fried chicken with a knife and fork (I haven't seen much of the good stuff in NYC, which I probably wouldn't buy any. The best place to eat a chicken leg is out on St. Joe Bay!)
3.you've ever been to a zoo that featured a cow & chicken
4. you don't see anything wrong with putting a sweater on a dog (or for that matter shoes, a rain coat, or a doggie water bottle/fanny pack...)
5. 2 generations of your family have been kicked out of prep school, well, you're a yankee if 2 generations of your family have even been to prep school
6. you've never planned a vacation around a gun & knife show
7. you think more $ should go to important scientific research at your university than the salary of the head football coach (one of the ladies on the July 4th hike was an FSU alum! (go noles!) But, she asked me if coach bowden was still there... and then said, "geez, he was OLD when I was there!... so, we still love Bobby!
8. you don't have doilies
9. you get freaked out when people on the street talk to you
10. none of your fur coats are homemade

independence day

There have been a lot of great days while I've been here, but today really was the best day!

I went on a day-hike with Outdoor Bound to a New Jersey state park. We hiked a 6-mi. trail up to a gorgeous overlook and glacier pond, Terrace Pond. The hike was "intensity level 3" - I wasn't sure exactly what that entailed. However, it was intense, that's for sure. I have been on hike/walks before... but this was a true hike! We drove out of the City for about an hour and started at the trail head. We followed the yellow trail for a while and then crossed over to the blue. It was a great way to spend July 4th, I loved breathing the fresh air and getting out of the City for a while. Just fabulous!

Once I got home I had to scrub my tennis shoes, we got into a few mud holes... and my shoes were not looking too pretty. I got ready to meet Stephanie and her Aunt for fireworks over on the West side. We walked down to Riverside park and found the perfect place to watch the Macy's firework spectacular. It's known as the "biggest firework display in America," and that it was!!! I'm so glad I was able to spend July 4th in NYC!