Miss Metro

Wow, what a crazy few weeks. Just when life seemed to be getting a bit easier, a few wrenches were flung in my direction. I still love where I am and how I am developing as a result of moving to New York, but unfortunately, I am currently dealing with a lot of stressors. One of my family members is going through a major health debacle, our apartment is being treated for bedbugs, I was sick for almost two weeks, and I work nearly every day. Worrying about my family member (perhaps I will divulge more information later) has been extremely taxing, which I'm sure is why my immune system seems to be on vacation. Additionally, taking every single thing we own off of the walls and putting them into bags for the bedbug treatment (along with every article of clothing we own...goodbye $200 spent on washing) was no small project, especially considering that I'm hardly ever home. I absolutely love, love, love my new job, but it doesn't leave me with a lot of free time. Particularly last week as I was also preparing for the Miss NYC/Manhattan/Metropolitan pageant. Oh, by the way, I won!! I am officially Miss Metropolitan 2012 and will compete for Miss New York in June!

The top 5!

Even with some of the difficult things I'm facing at the moment, I am so grateful for all of the positives in my life. Obviously, winning Miss Metropolitan was super encouraging since I worked so hard and was competing with 24 incredible girls...it was definitely the most competitive local I'd ever seen or been a part of. I was so honored to win the overall talent award, as well, which could have easily gone to many truly outstanding performers. My mom and Sherwin were in town to watch, so I'm certainly happy that their trip was worthwhile! Though my mom kept reminding me that it would have been worthwhile no matter what. She's the best.

My dad also dropped in for a last minute visit last Wednesday. Such a joy to see both parents in one week! We went to my brother's comedy club (he just started managing), where Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock did an awesome improv stand up routine that primarily focused on making fun of my dad. I love laughing, and there was no shortage of it that night! Lindsay, Jacob, Andy and a few other friends also joined for the event, so we had a great group and tons of fun.

Short post, but something is better than nothing! I miss having time to write. Hopefully things will calm down soon so that I can get back into the habit of blogging!

Falling into Place

I’m so darn happy. Every once in a while life just takes a turn for the better. Things start falling into place, self-motivation comes easier, and each little improvement snowballs its way to contentment until it feels like you’re about to explode with satisfaction. Landing this new job has given me a more structured schedule, which has helped improve with my time management with things like going to the gym, which in turn gives me the energy to work hard, volunteer, and socialize. As exhausting as the last few weeks have been, I feel incredibly revitalized. My spirits are back up as I develop new friendships with my amazing coworkers, feel confident that I’ll make plenty of money to live without constant financial stress, and maintain a routine at the gym that increases not only my physical strength, but my mental strength. The better you look, the better you feel!

Linds and me at her bridal shower

Amidst training at the restaurant, I’ve had a great week since returning from Virginia. Lindsay’s bridal shower in Virginia Beach was absolutely beautiful and an exciting reminder that she and Jim are getting married in six short weeks! I can’t wait to officially call her family. The 24 hour trip to Virginia was definitely worth being with her at an event she’ll always remember, carrying out bridesmaid duties since I was the only one of us who could make it. Sadly, I won’t be at her bachelorette party, so the least I could do is write down the gift-thank you list at the bridal shower! 

When the shower was over, my mom and I hit the gym together before I headed to my dad’s house for cocktails/dinner with my grandmother and aunt who were both in town for the festivities. My favorite part of the weekend (besides supporting Linds) was spending some needed quality time with my little brother. We had so much fun building an awesome fort (no adults allowed!), in which I drank wine and he played Mario cart. Great sibling bonding…though everyone made fun of me for bringing my wine with me into the fort. They were just jealous that they weren’t allowed to come in. Drew and I also played a highly competitive game of indoor basketball. Somehow the rules kept changing after I got to 10 points, so none of my “baskets” counted after that. Drew won. And I was left sweaty in my dress. Oh, how I love having an 8-year-old brother!

I worked on Monday and Tuesday nights, loving that both shifts ending with wine tastings. Clearly, this was my favorite part of my server training. Jeremiah, the server who trained me both nights, is a wine connoisseur-as well as one of the nicest guys in the world. Monday, he walked me through all of the whites by the glass, leaving the reds for Tuesday. Both nights I went home quite loosey goosey. We have a lot of wines! Not a problem with me, of course. Tuesday, Jeremiah even treated Andrew (our manager) and me to a cab back to our apartments since we all live in the same direction. Could I work with more wonderful people? Nope. Every single person who trained me went above and beyond to make me feel welcome and confident about absolutely everything I’ll need to be successful. I’m reassured time and time again that I’ve found the best job in New York City, and I 100% agree with that declaration!

Despite the fact that I had to get up relatively early this morning to go to the gym before hopping on a bus (where I am right now) to visit Christian and Ricky (my dog sledding friends) in Connecticut for the night, I went out for a bit last night. After completing my final training test, my coworkers invited me to a free concert in the West Village. One of the waiters is a singer in a great little band that was playing at a bar, so everyone went to show their support and hang out. I wish I could have stayed longer, but responsibility called. Hopefully I’ll get to spend more time with them soon!

In addition to all of the good news in the work department, I also feel so overwhelmed by how marvelous my parents are. Seeing them last weekend was such a treat. My close friend, Geraldine, is staying with my mom for three weeks and told me that my mom got her chocolates, balloons, and a card for her birthday today. Knowing how loving my mom is to my friends makes me miss her even more! On top of it, she is putting together all of my pageant stuff (local in two weeks!!) so that my dad can fly to NYC for just a day next week and deliver it all. The fact that I have a dad who is willing to fly to New York for a few short hours to have lunch and bring me pageant gowns absolutely floors me. He flies for free since he works for FedEx, but the love and time involved in a turn-around trip like that is insurmountable. I have the BEST parents in the whole, wide world. I have the best job in the whole, wide world. I have the best friends in the whole, wide world. How lucky am I?

When it Rains, it Pours

After my last post, I was really excited to get back in the groove of writing regularly. Unfortunately, my life has recently turned into a chaotic mess of job training, errands, working out, volunteering, and socializing…leaving me with no time to do anything. Including sleep.

You may think that “socializing” shouldn’t count as part of a busy schedule, but having no friends would be miserable. Maintaining a social life in the City requires coordinating schedules and planning ahead, so hang outs become added appointments on top of a busy day. Of course, they’re the more enjoyable appointments, but they’re time commitments, none-the-less.

The primary reason that I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off is because..wait for it…I got job!  I’m absolutely in love with the restaurant, staff, managers, and everything else about it! Everyone who works there has assured me that I was extremely lucky to have stumbled upon the best job in NYC. This high end Italian restaurant is the perfect mix of fine dining (which equals lots of big tips!) and speedy/casual service (I don’t have to be a robot!). My coworkers are almost all aspiring singers and actors, as well, so they give me advice on everything from how to differentiate between Livornese, Cabonara, and a dozen other Italian preparations to how to manage a work schedule while remaining focused on the ultimate career goal of performing. The restaurant hasn’t hired in almost a year, which reiterates what a great work environment is provided for employees. I was going to door to door with my resume a few weeks ago when I walked inside and lucked into being hired. I’m pretty much the only server who didn’t get the job based on knowing someone in the restaurant, so I don’t really know how I got the gig- but you better believe I’m thrilled! Between training breakfasts (wake up call at 5:45a.m.), lunches, and dinners, I have an unpredictable training schedule. I have no qualms, though, as it will be 100% worth it when I’m finally settled into a routine!

Naturally, the day after I was offered this job, another restaurant called to offer me a serving position. Then three days later, Stardust- the diner with the singing waitresses- emailed and offered me an audition time. I applied months ago! Why does that always happen in life? Everything piles up at once. Even though I love my new job, I decided to audition for Stardust in hopes that perhaps I could juggle both jobs. I auditioned with a few dozen other people on the floor of the restaurant in front of guests and servers, singing “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady. To my pleasant surprise, I was one of just a few to pass the singing portion of the hiring process. The next step was to text (yes, text) the general manager to schedule an interview regarding the waitressing part of the job. I texted him, but have yet to hear back. Normally, I’d be persistent and re-text/email/call, but I know that I probably couldn’t handle two jobs (three, including the attorney that I still work for once a week) on top of auditioning. I need money, but I also need to remember that I moved here to sing! 

Running through Central Park with Meg!

When I’m not working, I’m vigorously running at the gym in order to avoid the beached whale look at my Miss New York local in a few weeks. Add in doctor appointments, grocery runs, apartment maintenance, auditions, and the occasional shower- there you have it! Oh, and don’t forget seeing my friends, too. It may not sound like a lot, but when I wake up at 6 and don’t stop running around until 9 or 10p.m., it sure feels like a lot. The good news is that I finally feel like my life up here is together! 

On the way to Tess's housewarming party

In the past week or two, I’ve visited dog sledding friends in Connecticut, attended chili night at Tess’ restaurant with Tommy (my brother’s fabulous college roommate) to spend time with him and Tess, gone to Tess' housewarming party, volunteered for New York Cares, learned how to tie a tie from Dan (who provided me a black tie for work- thank you!), successfully plant-sitted Dave’s citrus plant over his spring break (Columbia), gone dancing at a fabulous gay club with a long lost friend from Busch Gardens, spent a crazy fun night on the Upper East Side with Jim, Linds, and friends (saw Jim and Lindsay’s new apartment), grabbed brunch with Jim, Linds, and our cousins who were in town, and finally completed laundry at Tommy’s (different Tommy than chili night) apartment to avoid Laundromat fees (besides, he’s amazingly nice and folded my two huge loads when I was at work). Now, I’m on the bus home to Virginia for Lindsay’s bridal shower tomorrow morning! Steph will pick me up, per usual, so that we can grab a drink and catch up tonight. Then shower tomorrow, gym in the afternoon, and family dinner to follow. By 11:30p.m., I’ll be back on the overnight bus in order to make it to work by 11a.m. Sunday. WHEW! So, please forgive me if I don’t find a moment to write again soon. At least now it should be clear as to why!

Here are some pics of what you've missed that I haven't mentioned:

Horse and buggy ride through Central Park when my Phi Mu little visited NYC with her boyfriend

Karaoke night with Brit (we made a new friend in the picture), our old roommate Kevin (not pictured), and Gus

Superbowl party/bonfire in Brooklyn

Dodgeball during volunteering at a school in Harlem

Run...for Fun?

My mother runs an obscene amount. If her body and schedule would allow it, I'm pretty sure she'd run at least 10 miles a day. She is also 5'3" and blonde. Clearly, I didn't get a whole lot of her genes. Once I open my mouth and wave my hands around, however, it's obvious that I am my mother's daughter. People say our mannerisms and inflections are undeniably familial.

But back to the running thing. My relationship with running is simple: I don't do it. Sometimes I like to blame my mom for this- not because she could've controlled my inheritance of her cardio addiction, rather because I never joined a sports team as a result of a punishment. Basically, I cocked an attitude just a few days before volleyball tryouts in 8th grade, so my mom said, "That's it! You're not trying out for volleyball!" The punishment was definitely severe, considering how I'd practiced bumps and hits with my older brother (Varsity volleyball player) for weeks leading up to the try out. But I also think that between my horseback riding, community theatre, and private vocal lessons, my mom just didn't want to drive me to yet another extracurricular activity. Either way, I never got in the habit of working out in a gym or going on runs because I was never part of an athletic team. Don't worry, Mom, you're still the best.

When I say that "I don't do it," I don't mean that I've never done it. Obviously, I had to run the mile every year in gym class. In 5th grade, I was really smart and thought that the higher your time, the better you were (aren't higher/bigger numbers always better?). I was the BEST in the class. Five years later, I ran an 8:30 mile in sophomore P.E. and decided that there was no point in imagining I'd ever do much better. So I stopped taking P.E. and instead practiced jazz square combinations in the auditorium anytime I felt the need for physical activity.

Mom and me after the 2007 Alumni 5K

My sophomore year of college, I tried to become "a runner" in order to prepare for my first pageant. I'm not sure what being "a runner" denotes, but I decided it meant that you run in races once in a while and always look athletically cute in white sneakers and colorful shorts. I finished the CNU Alumni 5K in October 2007, but found that my feet hated this idea of suddenly pounding against pavement for 30 minutes a day. Thirty minutes doesn't sound like much, I know, but keep in mind that the popular girl told me that I run slower than her pet hamster when I was 10. Just getting me to run around the block was pulling teeth after that low blow. Anyways, the arches of my feet really suffered from consistent running for three months. On the worst day, I couldn't even walk because the pain was too much to bear (and I have a normal-to-high tolerance for pain). From that point forward, the elliptical became my best friend.

This past Christmas, Santa brought me new running shoes with special arch support. I haven't run regularly since 2007, but in the past few weeks have decided to see if the new shoes could bring out that recessive running gene that must be hiding in me somewhere. Surprisingly, my arches have been holding up quite nicely. I started with my normal 30 minutes on the elliptical, followed by a mile on the treadmill to test how my feet would react. A few weeks of consistent running have gone smoothly, so today I forwent the elliptical entirely in order to run on the treadmill for a full 45 minutes! I've also been running around the reservoir in Central Park. Three miles is a breeze, so for the first time ever, I think I can start training for a half marathon without having to resort back to the elliptical due to feet complications! Or at least a 10K...

So, does this mean I'm now a "runner"? No. Maybe I can formerly knight myself with that title if I keep running regularly for at least a year. For now, I'm just the girl who is REALLY excited that she can run for an extended period of time without wanting to die! I am also confident that I can now outrun a pet hamster.

Valentine's Day

I don't hate Valentine's Day. I'm not bitter that I'm single. I have no problem with gushy Facebook statuses or flower stands on every corner. So what if the "industry" uses love as a means to money? Is that really such a terrible thing? Especially in this day and age when everybody is so busy and obsessed with independence, Valentine's Day is a nice little kick in the shins to remind us that it's okay to focus on someone other than ourselves. And a nice little kick to men's shins to remind them that the ladies really do enjoy being wined and dined once in a while. The only thing that bothers me about Valentine's Day is how this holiday somehow makes people feel entitled to scrutinize the relationships, or lack there of, of others.

Everyone claims that if you're confident with being single or secure in your relationship, then you shouldn't get defensive when people question your status. I disagree. Whether rightly or falsely accused, our pride instinctually justifies our circumstances to cynics...and on Valentine's Day, people seem to be cynical of just about any relationship. Singles often proclaim, "Ugh, I would never want to be tied down to a relationship" or "This is just a holiday for Hallmark to make money." People in relationships where they value Valentine's Day often chirp, "Look at that single girl looking so desperate at the bar" or "I'm so lucky to have a [boy/girl]friend who makes me feel special on Valentine's Day." Other couples who don't value Cupid spout, "They're only acting happy because it's Valentine's Day, when in reality their relationship stinks" or "My [boy/girl]friend makes me feel special every day of the year."

Come on. If every one of those statements were true, then the consensus would be that NOBODY is happy and successful in their love lives. Sadly, no matter what your status on Valentine's Day, someone will make you question it with a look, gesture, or subtle remark. Odds are, you unknowingly-or knowingly- make people question theirs, as well. But assumptions about other people's relationships or bachelorism (yep, just invented that word) are pointless and inappropriate. Aside from undeniably unhealthy situations (i.e. ones that generate a lot of crying, moping, fighting, etc.), who are we to think that we understand another person's emotions, motivations, and connections? As discussed in many of my past blog posts about individualism and unique perspectives, we can never see the world through someone else's eyes...and often, if we try to, we're painfully off the mark. A single girl is not necessarily desperate, a girl desperate to be in a relationship is not necessarily insecure, a girl who posts lovey statuses about her perfect boyfriend is not necessarily trying to cover something, and a girl in a relationship who is cynical about Valentine's Day is not necessarily making excuses for an unloving boyfriend. Believe it or not, people can be equally happy while in drastically different stages or types of relationships. At the end of the day, all that matters is that we're striving to bring happiness and love into our lives and the lives of others. Valentine or no Valentine.

Brit and me on our Valentine's Day date

Static Life

I've fallen a little behind in my blog this month for multiple reasons. I've been stressed with the whole apartment business, had few conversations or experiences that inspired much thought (sad, but true), and the "a" button on my keyboard fell off, making typing a bit annoying. Here I am, though! I fully intend on picking up the pace again in February! January just feels like a month during which my life was on hold. On hold waiting for a place to live, on hold from my friends since so many left town, on hold from drinking (which is not a big deal, but no drink Jan means fewer happy hour hang outs, etc.), and just a general feeling of static living.

I've failed to share some really fun memories these past few weeks, including a dinner party at Jim and Lindsay's, followed by an epic evening of karaoke (we got the whole place singing "Africa" at the top of their lungs), a stroll through central park with my old friend from CNU, and playing Rock Band with Meg before watching the Miss America Pageant. Despite the fact that I haven't just been sitting around doing absolutely nothing, I'm just really uninspired. I'm sure we've all felt like this at times, carrying around an unidentifiable weight that hinders us from moving quickly...both mentally and physically. I've had a harder time getting up and getting out. I've had a harder time engaging in deep conversation. I've obviously had a harder time writing, which is something I absolutely love.

Experiencing a funk is obnoxious because I can tell I'm in one, yet don't know how to get out of it! I know I'll eventually start using my brain again, but it's like there's a bunch of cotton balls stuffed in there right now. I've been trying all of the tricks...going to the gym a lot (lost 5lbs), watching the news (trying to keep my mind occupied with information), meeting new people (gone on a few dates), etc., but it looks like I'll just have to wait this funk out. Even at the moment, I don't have much else to write. Bare with me!

Photos of the New Apartment!

Today, Brittany and I will sign a one year lease for our BEAUTIFUL new apartment in Washington Heights, Manhattan! I have been unbelievably stressed about finding a place to live by February 1st, so a huge weight has been lifted off my chest. Brit and I spent all day Friday looking at apartments and found a newly renovated, never occupied one bedroom that will keep our pockets very happy. We immediately filled out the hours worth of paper work (shout out to Dad and Brit's mom, Beverly, for making it happen!) and have been anxiously waiting approval since! Here's a sneak peak at our gorgeous pad (actual pictures):

A kitchen with room for a table??? Unheard of.

Every room is so bright and sunny! Even the bathroom :)

I'd post pictures of the living room and bedroom, but you can't get a good gist of them from the limited angles of the camera. Just imagine brand new wooden floors and two large windows that let in a ton of sunlight! We will probably be hanging out on those floors until we figure out a cheap way to furnish the place, but who cares? It's ours! More reasons to be thrilled: The neighborhood is very safe (right next to the Columbia medical center), we live three blocks from the express train (only four stops to Times Square) and Starbucks (hallelujah), and I'll get a work out every time I go home (good old fashioned stair climbing)! I'd say we found ourselves a winner.