The Country Mouse is the City Mouse

It’s the Holiday Season [in NYC]

Where did the time go? 

The last time I wrote in this blog it was summer and I couldn’t shut up about my excitement. Now, fast forward 5+ months and here we are. I mean, we skipped over an entire season for cryin’ out loud! Sorry fall, I like you, I really do, but apparently not enough to actually write about you.

And now I find myself in the midst of the madness. It’s CHRISTMAS! Or almost, anyway.

I’m a Christmas freak and I’m fine with it. I own it. Why? Because as the old sage Andy Williams once said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” And even you Scrooges out there cannot deny that around this time of year there is something that makes everything feel just a little bit more… awesome.

That’s why NYC and I have bonded so much recently. NYC gets me. It’s like this city is telling me, “I know it’s only been December for 3 days, but it’s OK to listen to your Christmas pandora station every waking hour. It’s OK to stare at all of our store windows in childlike amazement. It’s OK to get a Starbuck’s holiday drink twice in one day. It’s OK to take pictures of every tree, every brownstone, every restaurant that has lights.”

It’s all OK… in fact, it’s encouraged. This is the land of sensory overload and Christmas is no exception to that. I’ve been sucked in. I am like that kid on Willy Wonka that just couldn’t get enough of that chocolate river. And I’m totally OK with that.

Around here, if ya snooze ya lose, so I had to get started on my Christmas extravaganza early. And I really couldn’t think of a better way to kick things off than the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

Throughout the year, this area is a big open lawn where they show movies or host other events. For Christmas, they open up a great ice skating rink.

Celsius - the fun pop-up restaurant that is only around for the holidays. It’s actually really delicious plus has an awesome view of the park.

Two of my lovely roomies and I eating outside at Celsius. There are heaters at every table so you can eat when it’s chilly. Brrrzziiieess!

Little details in the shops

Cute gifts at the Max Brenner shop

The New York Public Library is beautiful no matter what time of year

I love this place :)

If you’re coming to NYC for the holidays, please promise me that you will stop by this little winter wonderland. It’s NOT to be missed!

And some other pictures, just because :)

Windows at Tiffany’s

Bergdorf’s - these are such a work of art!

The mother of all chandeliers at The Plaza

Lights outside of my office

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Prettiest little chocolates that tasted look doo doo.

I just LOVE Brooklyn. This is one thing you can’t get in NYC. Makes my heart so happy!

Chase was in town this weekend and we wanted to do “normal couple things” so we cooked together! Made the BEST baked fajitas ever. Get the recipe here http://eatinonthecheap.com/2011/03/24/my-thoughts-on-food-magazines-and-baked-chicken-fajitas/

PS - look at that face! So lovable :)

My new favorite candle with a cute little tin, from Target, surprisingly (or maybe that’s not surprising at all now that I think about it….)

Well, good bye! See you in 5 months! Just kidding ;)

I Heart NY: The Boat Basin

There is nothing better than summer in the city. Absolutely nothing. From the four seasons that I’ve been able to experience since I’ve lived here, summer is by far the best. The city comes alive. People are everywhere, flowers are blooming, restaurants throw their windows open… it’s a feeling that you can’t describe, you have to be here. There are a million different things to do and a million different places to experience. 

I’d never heard of the Boat Basin until last weekend when my family was in town and we were thinking of a fun way to spend our evening. My sister, being a walking Fodor’s book, suggested that we head up west and check it out. I won’t lie, I was less than enthused: the East Village to the Upper West Side is a hike. But I didn’t really have a choice in the matter, so before I knew it we were in a cab zooming up the west side highway.

All I have to say is Wow. Best decision that I ever didn’t make and was forced into by someone else.

It basically combines everything that is good about summer: water, amazing sunset, delicious beer, twinkle lights, good company… you get the picture.

Time Flies

Here I am yet again kicking myself because I haven’t written a blog post in ages. As I sit in my bed, watching Singin’ in the Rain (don’t judge, this movie is awesome) and reflecting on a perfect New York weekend, I can’t help but think how crazy life is. 

Since I wrote in my blog last I’ve:
- Turned 24
- Had my 1 year anniversary in NYC
- Had my 1 year “interaversary” at my job
- And, more exciting than all of that… it’s SUMMER in the city. Thank you Jesus — I’m pretty sure we were all beginning to think winter was never going to end.

Anyway, more on all of that later. But for now, I leave you with pictures, courtesy of my lovely new b-day gift from my parents. 

I’m in Nikon love.

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Nothing beats French press coffee at a birthday brunch. Nothing. Well, except maybe French press coffee in France.

(PS - that lady in the corner wouldn’t stop turning around and looking at me because I was flash flash flashing my camera away. Oops.)

My hood: The East Village. By far the best in Manhattan.

New York can be pretty when it wants to be.

Until next time… which is hopefully not two months from now :)

The Fear of the Fall

This post has been a long time coming. Not only because I haven’t posted in ages, but it’s also been on my mind for a while (think pre-college… that long of a while).

A couple of weeks ago I was having a conversation with Kelley about a certain situation in my life. Before I go on with this story, I have to say that everyone should have a Kelley in their life: a constant friend that not only challenges you to be a better person without judging you, but no matter what they are going through drops everything else to talk you through your crazy irrational thoughts.

That said, I had basically been obsessing over this situation constantly. I went over it in my head a million different times. I created every horrible scenario that could possibly happen before the time had even come, so if it did come, I’d be totally prepared. Kelley listened to me as I poured my heart out and finally when I finished (or really, stopped to take a breath) she responded. First of all, she told me, there really wasn’t a point in worrying about something that hadn’t happened yet and that I had no control over.

Hmmm… that was definitely true.

And, since I had no control, the situation was going to turn out however it was going to turn out whether it was good or bad.

Again, a good point.

But what really stood out to me was the last thing that she said, “Kristen, no matter what happens it’s going to be OK.”

I sat there for a second. It’s going to be OK? I mean, even if this turns out absolutely horrible and it turns out to be the worst day of my life it’s going to be OK?

I’m not sure what it was, but in that moment that tiny little simple phrase made so much sense to me and resonated with me more than anything that I had ever heard before.

I think that a lot of times we are paralyzed by the fear of the fall. The worry that, when you jump no one or nothing is going to catch you. That you will come crashing down and you won’t be able to recover. But how do we conquer the fear if we don’t learn to jump? If I knew the answer to that I would tell you, but it’s something that I’m still learning about myself. But if I could take a stab at it, I think it would have something to do with taking a chance or something else super cheesy like that. Ya know, stop worrying and just go.

Because, yeah, the fall might be a little scary, but eventually you will land… and not matter what happens, it’s gonna be OK.

Wedding Weekend

This weekend was kind of perfect. Not only did I get to see my entire family, who is awesome, but I went to Massachusetts, got to go on a shopping spree to Target, spent a night out in Boston, and got to be a part of a great new beginning. Overall, I’d say it was a pretty big success that ended way too soon!

The beautiful bride and I…this was my FIRST time to meet her, but felt like she’d been a part of the family for a long time.

My family’s the best :)

Is this not the cutest picture ever?

Can’t wait until the next cousin gets married! Who’s it gonna be? :)

Lent: Bon Voyage Facebook!

I have to say this past weekend was definitely a lazy one. Actually, all of my past weekends have been lazy ones. It’s pretty lame when someone asks you what you did and you reply, “Nothing.”

Literally. Nothing.

So when Sunday rolled around, I was pretty pumped to go to church. I’d missed it the week before so I was twice as determined to make it there, crazy monsoon rainstorm or not. I left promptly at 7 so I could grab a Starbuck’s and get there with time to spare.

Close to half an hour later, I walked in the doors only to realize that I had somehow confused the time and church actually started at 7… woops. I snuck in one of the back pews, soaked everywhere that my bubble umbrella didn’t cover (which is pretty much from my elbows down), slightly embarrassed and feeling a little foolish. 

The pastor began the sermon for the day and I was still getting settled in when he said something that made my ears perk up. “This week’s sermon…In preparation for Lent…”

Uh… wait, what? Oh, Right. That’s happening…. this week.

Now here’s where I stop and say, I’ve gone to church my entire life, but never once participated in Lent. Honestly, when I think about it, there’s a chance that I didn’t even know what Lent was until I was in high school (or maybe college… *cringe*). I realize, pretty ridiculous. I guess (once I found out what it was) I always just viewed it as something that more “traditional” churches did and either didn’t see a point in participating or didn’t feel like I could. But here I am, in a new church, with a different view on life and I’m thinking I’m doing this.

It was especially on my mind today. Probably because of the fact that it’s tomorrow and I had no clue what I was giving up. Whatever it was, I wanted it to be meaningful. 

As I was reading something that my church had written on Lent, I really couldn’t stop thinking about it:

“We encourage you to consider abstaining from things that have gained mastery over your life. Remember, we are not withholding good from ourselves but are seeking a greater Good. Lent is a time to eradicate obstacles and moderate what has become too excessive.”

Hm… what’s taken mastery over my life? How can I eradicate obstacles? What’s become too excessive and what needs moderation?

I went through the checklist of my daily distractions.

Sweets/Fried/Types of Food in General
A lot of people give this up for Lent, but wasn’t too sure that this was really what I needed to be giving up. There isn’t really one food that has taken “mastery” over my life (although Chipotle has come quite close). There was definitely a time when I was hitting up that Dunkin Donuts under my apartment like, every day, but I’ve since shaken that habit. Nah, this wasn’t it.

Television
I really only watch TV at night, when I’m trying to fall asleep. I definitely have “my shows” but nothing that I can’t go without. Plus, I already went without this for a few months in the summer when I was subletting and I survived, so I knew this wasn’t right either.

Twitter
I could give that up. It’s huge a distraction since it’s on my phone, available 24/7. The more I thought of it the more I realized that this was really what I needed to give up. I mean, I check it first thing in the morning and subsequently throughout the day. I update it multiple times over the course of a day and it’s actually pretty dumb… I mean, I just add stupid stuff as it comes to my mind.

Twitter it is!

But no…I couldn’t shake that little voice in my head. Twitter was really just a bi-product of the bigger problem. 

Realization struck: I have to give up Facebook.

Noooo!!! I don’t wannaaaa!!!

But I had to face the facts. My addiction to Twitter pales in comparison to my addiction to Facebook. I can literally throw away hours on Facebook looking at …. well, I’m not sure. Some random person’s pictures of their vacation to Hawaii? People’s profile pictures? Writing random thing’s on people’s wall that I just probably just be calling anyway? My own pictures from my own albums? Yikes… someone stop the madness.

So, all that to say, starting tomorrow evening through the next 40 days I’m bidding farewell to Facebook. I still feel a little unsure about it, I’m not gonna lie. But, all notifications are being turned off and I’m turning over my username and password to my dear friend Kelley for safe keeping (and to make sure I don’t cheat). I’ll still have the blog, Twitter, gmail, etc… oh yeah and that cellular device thingy from the olden times when people actually heard each other’s voices.

Still, I can’t help but think why does giving up Facebook feel like the equivalent of falling off of the face of the earth? 

And that question right there, is exactly why I’m doing it.