Busy Body

Sorry about the recent lack of "readable" posts, as quoted by my father who requested to see more writing and less pictures of his son-in-law "looking good." Ha. I thought everyone loved to see Ben's beautiful and smiley face.

It has been a wild/exhausting couple of weeks. School (my day job) and the therapy gym (my evening job) started on September 9th. It takes a little time to adjust to the new schedule and get everything organized. Plus, we have been lucky enough to either be traveling every weekend or having company visit.

Finally, last night, I decided that NO MATTER WHAT I was going to go to bed early secondary to a little incident at the grocery store. As I paid for my food, the store cashier informed me that my metrocard would NOT work in the credit card machine no matter how many times I swiped it. I guess I subconsciously thought that the unlimited monthly pass offered more than just rides around the city on public transportation.

But, being tired and adjusting to a new schedule is totally worth it since I am back at my adorable, perfect, happy school in East Harlem. Once again, I am working with the most awesome people (that includes kids and adults) in all of New York City. I am so lucky.

New York City becomes a little more of home every year.

Friends & Family

Bags, Bags, and More Bags

We only buy what we can carry in New York City. Wherever you are, whatever you buy… you have to haul it with you. It’s a good workout for the biceps.

My girlfriend and I met on Sunday afternoon to go to Bed Bath & Beyond and then the movies down the street. We bought bed sheets, a Dirt Devil vacuum, all natural dish soap, light bulbs, mouthwash, a basket, body wash, and several other items that made our bags even heavier and bulkier. We carried the bags into the movies and conveniently placed them on the seats next to us, taking up the entire row.

Until that moment, I had never noticed how many people lug stuff in to the movies. We saw two more women in the theater with a BB&B bags, and then in the bathroom I saw multiple bags from the Gap and Duane Reade. One lady even carried a brand new broom and dustpan into the stall with her!

We have to carry our purchases around since we don’t have cars or trunks to store things. I remember thinking how weird that was when I first moved here. Now, it’s normal and doesn’t strike me as funny until moments like this remind me just how different life in New York can be.

Weekend Getaway

We left the city over Labor Day weekend, and traded buildings for trees and roads for dirt paths. When we lived in a small town we went to a bigger city for nonstop entertainment, crowds of people, and a jam-packed schedule. But, now that we live in a big city, we just want the peace and quiet only found in a small town. Less people and more green space.

So, we escaped to Princeton, New Jersey and stayed at the Marriott at Forrestal. We stayed for free at the Marriott thanks to Ben and the Marriott points he racked up from traveling for work. Free lodging is how couples, like us, on a budget live large.

Our hotel room was approximately the size of our first studio apartment, and we welcomed the extra space of the king size bed since we usually squeeze into a full. We got professional massages for the first time ever, and we rented a car. We forgot how FUN driving is!

On Saturday, we walked around Princeton University's campus and felt a little old as nervous freshman moved into the dorms for their first weekend of college. Parents proudly hauled boxes from minivans with soaped windows declaring, "Frosh in front" and "Princeton Tiger Cub on Board". Obviously, we're too weathered to be considered 18, but maybe the youngins mistook us for one of the nontraditional-post doctoral-married student housing couples.

We started each day with chocolate chip and banana pancakes at PJ's Pancake House. We then biked along the D&R Canal and later relaxed with some brewskies at a locally famous bar called Alchemist & Barrister, owned by a chemist and a lawyer. Supposedly the actor Andrew Shue lives in Princeton. I never saw him, but as we biked along the canal I couldn't help but continually scan the river for Joshua Jackson with a crew team reenacting his role from The Skulls. Even at the bar, I expected Matt Damon and Ben Affleck from Good Will Hunting to show up and quote some famous authors to only then take my Ben out back and rough him up South Boston style. Blame Hollywood for my twisted Ivy League perspective.

Overall, the weekend was great. Quiet and relaxing. Princeton was awesome, and definitely excited us for our one day departure to suburbia.

Ben Lookin' Good

Big Girl

I got my blood drawn this morning. Usually the people that do my lab work are older than me, like my parents’ ages. They are very sensitive to my apprehensiveness and fear of needles. They comfort me when I start to cry. Sometimes they get me a cup of water, and I really like it. I really appreciate it.

Today, though, a 24-year-old guy named Jefferson was my personal phlebotomist. I’ve never cried in front a boy before (besides Ben), let alone one that is my almost my age. How embarrassing.

Yet, tears formed in the corners of my eyes as Jefferson arranged the tubes and pulled out the needle. As he wiped the inside of my elbow with the alcohol swab, I said with a single tear rolling down my cheek, “I used to passed out, but now I only cry.” I wiped the tear away. “Just so you know.”

Jefferson, very sweetly and gently said, “Oh, is that right? Don’t worry. I’ll take really good care of you, but you know… it may be time to hold that in and be a big girl.”

Gasp! Jefferson, doesn’t know how right he is. I. Will. Never. Maybe. Not. Cry. Again. I think that Jefferson was just what I needed to finally get over the last of my fear. No more tears from this big girl!

The Girls Are Back

On Thursday, I rode the crosstown bus to the East Side. It was an average, no adventure bus ride until we happened to pass the movie Sex and the City 2 being filmed! Sex and the City 2!

I squealed with excitement as I smooshed my face against the window and craned my neck in hope of seeing Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, or Miranda. Before I could see anybody, the light turned green and our bus sputtered down street. Deep down in my heart, though, I know I caught a glimpse of Carrie's curls and Jimmy Choos before turning left onto Madison Avenue.

I suppose it's time to slip into stalk mode and track down the locations being filmed in the movie. Why, they might need an extra assistant or possibly even an extra in the movie! No matter what, I'm excited because... the girls are back!

Mindset

I have been easing back into the routine of being in the city again. I got used to the slower pace and laid back atmosphere of Kentucky, and knew it would be hard to adjust back to city life once I returned. Even though I had been back almost a week, I still had a southern mindset until the other day…

On Monday, I witnessed a shoplifter/store clerk confrontation in CVS where the shoplifter yelled back at the store clerk and defended his right to steal. One taxi almost flattened me and another flipped me off. I paid more than double for Frosted Mini Wheats ($6.49 vs. $2.34 at Super Wal-Mart in Kentucky). And, at the end of the day, I watched a very tall transvestite cuss out a different store clerk for gender discrimination at the same aforementioned grocery store (the clerk confused her pronouns).

I finally had my “aha” moment during the last incident and came to grips with the fact that I am now, officially, back in NYC. Whew. Way to roll out the red carpet and welcome me back, New York!

Time

I went home for a week and a half for summer vacation to visit and reconnect with friends and family. I met with my girlfriend, Nicole, for breakfast. It had been two years since we had seen last each other. Too long.

When I am in New York, I wish that I could hit the pause button at home and make time stand still. I would freeze everyone and everything and not hit play until my next visit. That way, I wouldn't miss anything.

Here's Nicole...