The Comment Section is FIXED!!

I'm obviously NOT a computer whiz. Feel free to leave your two cents after any of the posts :)

Also, I am in the process of adding some of my friend's blogs that I follow on the side bar. One of them includes a book blog that we (Mizzou girls) started post-graduation to share what we are reading.... so if you are looking for a good book to read this break, check it out =)

Sake Bombing

It doesn't take much to convince me to go out. If it sounds like a good time, I'm usually game. However, when my friend Becky asked me to go Sake Bombing on Saturday it made me a little nervous. I've been sake bombing in Iowa City, but this is NYC and these people don't mess around.

After making the trek to Alphabet City (this is in East Village, where the streets are labeled "A ave, "B ave", I think you get the point) we met up with a group of people at a really swanky looking German bar. We walked in and there was a long tree branch with lights streaming from it on the wall that crawled up towards the ceiling. You couldn't help but stare at it. This place was clearly not the grounds for where we would be sake bombing, so we left for the popular NYC Sake Bar, Satsko. For those who don't know what Sake Bombing is, it's when you pour a shot of sake (Japanese liquor) into a shot glass, and then place it on top of chopsticks that are placed over a glass of beer (see stolen picture from Wikipedia). You then yell "SAKE BOMB!" and slam your fists on the table so the shot will drop in the beer, and then of course you consume it. As you can imagine this can be an expensive night, but I am proud to say I spent ten dollars. It was Becky's friends birthday and other people kept buying the drinks. Amen for people who have paid jobs.

After successfully continuing our night in East Village I officially checked myself into bed at 5 a.m. This is by far a new record for the longest time I've spent at the bars. NYC really doesn't sleep. Lucky for me I had a 10:30 a.m. meeting on Sunday with a woman from a babysitting program who is helping me find a family to watch on the weekends. I must have looked like I was hit by the bus, but regardless of my appearance she is still trying to help me find a placement. I'm crossing my fingers that something happens soon because my bank account hates me.

I do actually try to do my body more good than harm (I don't go sake bombing every weekend). I took a kickboxing class at my free gym and it left me sore for two straight days. Actually, my arms still kind of hurt... I made it to my free week of the Rockefeller Plaza gym membership 6 out of the 7 days. The good news is it only costs $180 to join! AKA I will be returning to my early morning runs in Central Park. Unlike my hometown of Antarctica we actually haven't had snow yet and it's been in the high 40's. Having said that I will probably be punished with a blizzard tomorrow.

Two more days left of work and the Friday is the BIG interview in Mt. Laurel. Becky and Jess (roommate from Mizzou) will be joining me me in Philly for Friday night/Saturday, and then it's back to the Mitten for Christmas on Sunday! I will hear about the internship around the end of the month... I'm hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Send your good Karma my way please!

I accidentally went to Brooklyn

I have the same old sob story about my computer. It continues to take it's last breaths, and as it dies so do the other things in my life...like my new headphones. I got them two months ago and now only one of the earbuds plays music. Awesome. My computer still won't upload pictures, but it WILL charge my iPod if I turn it off and plug it in as I turn it back on. I'm starting to learn all this wonderful tricks to make my electronical life last until I get home.

This week has been really busy at work. I am finally done with the OCTOBER social media report (I essentially read all the blogs and tweets for the month of October concerning David's Bridal and crunch some numbers for some stats and then report on the trends by comparing it to other months and from my own observations). My advisor tells me creating this report (and using Cision) will look amazing on my resume, so I'm pretty happy about that. Unfortunately, by some grace of god I must have the November report done by next Thursday (these things take foreeeeveeer).

Today, I worked up on the "beauty" floor (most of the time I'm on the "fashion" floor.... I can hear you laughing now) but because they needed some emergency help on fixing the product closet that was an absolute disaster I was on the upstairs. A client is coming in on Monday and the closet has to be PERFECT. I internally groaned when we (the interns) were assigned this.... I didn't come to NYC to fix up a closet. However, I took over the job, let the other interns do other things and made that closet look like Extreme Makeover came through. I labeled, rearranged, unpacked, reorganized, and straightened out that eyesore. To say the least the girls were impressed. They had never seen the closet so "neat". Literally they went on and on about it. I even got some free products out of it (score!). It also helped that I was given Starbucks midday compliments of Lippe Taylor. It's amazing how Starbucks is my primary motivator in life (sad, I know). But maybe I have found my new calling in life...I could be a professional organizer? Maybe the hoarder next door would hire me?

Aside from work I have been doing my usual exploring of NYC. Jaymelee (another intern) and I went to see the Tree since it is "lit" now. I have to say it does look pretty amazing. Rockefeller Plaza is like Christmastown. I saw 5 Santa Clauses on one street (sadly no elves). We also went inside St. Patricks Cathedral, which is really gorgeous. I really wanted to light a candle but I didn't have any money to put in the donation box. How pathetic/hilarious is that? Jaymelee also introduced me to my first Knish. Basically some sort of breading over potatoes. Too bad it's always the cheap food that is the unhealthiest.

I also signed up for my one-week membership to the The Sports Club in Rockefeller Plaza. Honestly, I thought it was going to be better. It's hard to be happy at any Gym anymore because I was absolutely spoiled at Mizzou with their Rec Center. I mean how many gyms have a waterfall and a lazy river in it? Of course, the location of this gym is amazing. I literally lift weights while looking down at all the people/the tree/the ice rink while I lift weights. (10 pound dumbells, I consider this a success). The gym itself is really big and the equipment is fairly new (there is no place to plug in my iPod, but like I said I've been spoiled). I'm even considering taking a boxing class on Sunday (pending how late my night will be Saturday. I'm headed down to East Village with a friend). I do like that they offer to steam your clothes and I have been able to stock up on Q-tips and cotton balls. It's just really isn't the same as my beloved Mizzou Rec Center. (Yes, I do expect you to feel bad for me).

After leaving the gym today, I did witness a guy propose to his girlfriend on the ice rink while everyone watched (the ice rink was cleared off somehow). Everyone was applauding and "oohing" and "ahhing". I just imagined all the married woman watching this and looking at their husbands asking why they didn't think of that. Made me laugh a little bit.

On quite the opposite spectrum of the ritzy area of Rockefeller Plaza is Canal Street. For all of my family members who have heard Katie talking about getting in vans to buy purses, this is the area. Jaymelee and I attempted Canal Street Thursday and despite the cold temperatures (still no snow!) we were quite successful. I decided I'm pretty good at bargaining with people. I was looking at several items (I cannot disclose what they are for Christmas purposes) and after holding and admiring and putting down these items I would start walking away and the owner would give me a lower price. I say no thanks, but then keep looking at it. I then ask him to go lower in price and if he says no I start walking out the door again and this is precisely when he says FINE and usually gives me the price I want. You never pay the first price you are given on Canal Street, and if you do you are a fool.

This is the point in the post where I tell you how I made it to Brooklyn (on accident). We were only on Canal Street for an hour because it was waytoo cold. We attempted to buy bags, but unfortunately weren't invited into any vans. Jaymelee and I being the brilliant people we are managed to get on the right train....just headed the wrong way. I noticed that we were traveling above the ground instead of under and I even commented to Jaymelee, "Oh, this is awesome we get to see the City and all of these bridges." BRIDGES?!! UMM WAIT. WE AREN'T SUPPOSED TO SEE BRIDGES. And 7 minutes later we are in Brooklyn, and not a good part of Brooklyn. Although we were laughing about it, we were also whispering to each other about how we needed the next train to get there ASAP so we could get back to Manhattan. There were some pretty shady people around (except for the man in purple pants and cowboy boots, he was just humorous). I knew I was due to make a stupid mistake with the trains. (Side note: I was 40 minutes late to work on Tuesday because a man on my train was having a seizure and they had to shut down my route for several blocks until the ambulance came. I walked 22 blocks to the next train station....I have no idea if the man is ok, but I can tell you it felt like I was in a movie. There were people literally yelling, "Is anybody a Doctor?!!! This was the point where George Clooney was supposed to enter the scene).

Tomorrow I do not plan on going to Brooklyn, but I do plan on going to see "Tropical Butterflies Alive in the Winter" at the Natural History Museum. It's on the list of top ten things to do in NY in the winter. I have to give credit to my friend Tyler who sent me the link to this article. Maybe some day I will be able to post the pictures I've been taking... hopefully before Christmas (sorry!)

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

First off, pictures hopefully will be added Monday. I currently have a computer that randomly decides when it wants to recognize my camera, ipod, or headphones. It's been fun trying to charge my iPod with outlets that decide not to work. Alas, trying to upload pictures is not working right now.... to make things better we don't have working internet at the apartment so I am currently sitting at Starbucks using the internet. Fun, fun.

Anyways, this weekend was a blast. I spent Friday night walking around NYC Christmas shopping. NYC does NOT let you forget it's Christmas time, and usually this time of year I am focused on finals and not Christmas, so it's been great. Having said that, NYC is an absolute ZOO at shops. Macy's in particular is a DISASTER. It would be great for kids (there is a Santa's mailbox, and a Christmas Wishlist....and of course Santa). However, for the rest of us "shoppers" it is a nightmare and I don't plan on going back there until after the Holidays.

Katie came to the City on Saturday night and we had a blast. I started off my night with my friend Becky at her co-workers party (they all work at Verizon). If I learned one thing from this party, it's that New Yorkers drink everything out of a straw. I've noticed this a lot with people walking around holding coffee cups with straws sticking out. I sort of understand this....people don't want to get stains on their teeth. I don't really participate in this ridiculous looking straw and coffee consumption though. I know a stellar dentist in the Grand Rapids area that could help me out with any "stains" that may occur. However, I do not understand why so many girls were drinking out of straws.... at a party....when they were drinking either Sprite and Vodka or Mimosas. Coke and rum? Yes. SPRITE AND VODKA? I don't get it. I glanced around seeing if there were any other outsiders not using straws, but I found myself not only a non-Verizon worker, but also a dreaded non-straw drinker. Thankfully they looked past this flaw of mine and I was able to participate in the festivities.

After a couple of hours at this party Becky and I left to meet up with Katie and her roommates/classmates at a bar called Metro 53. As you can imagine, Katie and I together always have a good time. I wish I had pictures to document this night, but you will just have to take my word for it. I even managed to meet someone from Long Island who wasn't a "guido". He actually seemed like a pretty decent guy and admitted to hating Long Island people. However, Becky pressed him for information on his latest break-up of a girlfriend of 5 and half years and his answer was, "She cheated on me....with a Lacrosse player...from NOTRE DAME." HAHA! I died and told him I am a HUGE Notre Dame fan. I don't imagine I will be receiving a phone call from him :) Too funny.

Today I started to tackle my "to-do list" for New York, and decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I made it there right around sunset and it was gorgeous seeing the Statue of Liberty in the distance with the sun setting in the background. You walk around the city everyday but you don't realize how big it is until you get to see it from the distance. I will try to put up the pictures as soon as I get my computer/internet to function properly.

Until then, happy Christmas Shopping everyone! Let me know if you want me to put a letter in Santa's mailbox for you!

Good News, Bad News

Starting off with the bad news.... my computer is on Death Row. It decides to do strange new things everyday and the verdict from Mr. Apple Man is that my hard drive is wearing out :( I'm thinking needing a new laptop while working at an unpaid internship is not exactly an ideal situation. I've been trying to get my parents to put Kelly up for adoption (to save $$) for a couple of months now, so I'm hoping this will give them the right push to do so. (We have to act quick, she is almost 18!). Although my beloved computer (lasted over 4.5 years!) is on the fritz, the Apple Store was pretty awesome (see pic). It was also located right next to FAO Schwartz which made me wish I was a kid again (who doesn't want a oversized stuffed animal sting-ray?)

So I told you I was going to attempt the "Tree-lighting" ceremony in Rockefeller Plaza. Well, I did. After foolishly thinking I could show up (along with another intern) about 20 minutes before the concert started I realized how crazy people are about free events. I didn't really want to see the tree (I can see that hassle-free any other day) I just wanted to hear the music! Unfortunately, we could get anywhere near the action, so we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square to watch it on TV. That was an experience in itself.... mostly because our waiter was on drugs. The first story he told us was of his days in California as a gang member. Looks like you've come a long way buddy....

Anyways, to the GOOD NEWS. After applying for an internship with NFL Films about 2 months ago, I got a response! I will be traveling via bus to Mt. Laurel, NJ on December 18th for an interview and then spending the night in Philly (about 30 minutes away). I'm trying not to get too excited because the odds of me getting this internship are 38-45% (I did the math). Then again the chances of getting an actual interview was pretty slim too. Unfortunately, the internship is again unpaid, but working with the production staff of the NFL researching players, teams, and writing and editing stories...it would be such an incredible and valuable experience....and thankfully I have some supportive parents who thoroughly enjoy expensing my life (right?). This is exactly the kind of opportunity I was hoping for coming out of college.... it's just coming a lot later than expected! So keep me in your prayers and send good karma my way because I would die and go to heaven if I got accepted. It would be sad to leave NYC (internship would start mid-february and go until may), but the opportunity would be too good to pass up! I'm already doing research to prepare.

Other than that, work is going well.... I'm learning new things every day and working hard! I've also been on the hunt for another celebrity-sighting. I'm really hoping to run into Lady Ga Ga or Jay-Z. Also, the other picture is of a floating snow flake.... I just found it humorous.