"I am a New Yorker who Cares"

[and I don't mean "who cares?"]

In my quest to meet new people and join the community in New York, I have joined the volunteer organization NY Cares, which brings together caring volunteers with needy and worthwhile organizations. I attended my orientation on Tuesday night, and have signed up for my first activity: Bingo with seniors! I love the description the NY Cares organization provides:
Come gamble the night away with lively seniors from Flushing House. Volunteers will call bingo numbers and assist any resident who needs help. This is serious group of bingo players so be ready for some fierce competition.

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For this weekend, my cousin Rob is coming down from West Point. I'm so excited to have someone to pal around with!

Tennis in Top Form

When I opened a bank account here in NY, (my Dallas bank didn't have a branch here) I received two free tickets to the U.S. Open. Knowing how much my parents, especially my dad, enjoy tennis, I couldn't wait to call him, and ended up waking him early that morning to tell him he was going to the Open!

Everyone always thinks airline benefits are the ultimate, and while they are great, the downside is you can only travel if there is space. And unfortunately, my dad found no seats available to any of the nearby airports from last Sunday until Wednesday, the day of my tickets.

I was disappointed that my parents weren't coming up, although I know we will find another time for them to visit. Mostly, I was disappointed they were missing this opportunity.

I offered the tickets to my employees (I have three who report to me currently), and one of them said he'd go with me. The others agreed I should go. So I went, taking my dad with me in spirit.

It was a festive atmosphere at the stadium, at the end of the subway line in Queens. Booths offered U.S. Open apparrel and foodstuffs. The tickets were for the Arthur Ashe stadium, the main stadium, and outside it is a gigantic flat screen showing what's going on inside.

I hadn't checked before going to see who was going to play in this early round, and I was thrilled to hear we were going to see Serena Williams and Roger Federer! They were both stunning to watch, athletes at the top of their game, and Federer in particular made it look effortless and graceful. My coworker and I felt sorry for his opponent!

(See pictures below)

tennis pics

Church in New York

So last Sunday I decided to go to a nearby Methodist church. I had searched online and found one just 4 blocks or so from my apartment. Turns out it's the oldest Methodist society in America, organized in 1766! The building they are in now is not the original, but it is certainly old and historic. The sanctuary (and probably the rest of the building) doesn't have air conditioning, and they had placed oscillating fans throughout the area. I was glad to be near one! (It wasn't too hot Sunday morning, but it was a bit stuffy.)

The congregation was small, maybe two dozen people were there, of all ages and ethnicities. The pastor reminded me of John Corbett (Aidan Shaw on Sex in the City and a pastor in Raising Helen) with his long brown hair and youthful looks. The sanctuary doesn't have a sound system, but the pastor has a booming voice, easily heard by all in the room and probably some out on the street.

There was no choir, although they do have an organ. I recognized most of the hymns we sang, but I was frustrated, and a bit tickled, that the organist played them so slow. For the anthem, they had a soloist, and he blew me away. In addition to being incredibly loud (again, without a mike) he had a beautiful voice. He sang the well-known songs in a Broadway style, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn he's actually performed on Broadway. It was fantastic but still a bit strange to hear traditional religious songs performed in that style.

The Chinese Massage

Yesterday, I wandered around China Town. I'm a little hestitant to eat at most of the restaurants, but I trust the Zagat guide and have eaten at two. The one I chose yesterday wasn't bad, although I still got a little squeamish about the mystery meat in the dumplings in the wonton soup. I also had the garlic chicken, which was delicious, although I had to pick around the bell peppers (I'm allergic).

One of my coworkers had told me about a place in China Town that she goes to for cheap but clean, no frills massage. She told me how to find it, and as she had predicted, I wondered what I was getting myself into to as I walked down the steps from the sidewalk into a dimly lit, pink-walled room. A petite (although aren't they all?) Asian woman met me and led me back into one of the "rooms." I use quotes because the walls between the massage areas didn't reach to the ceiling. They were just over my head, but I'm sure a taller person could have easily seen over. The front of each room has a curtain hung on a thin rope.

I laid face down on the table. The woman came in and asked, "You like strong?" I do and was thinking to myself how much I enjoy when a massage therapist uses their elbows to really dig into my back muscles. Well, I was amazed that she not only used her hands and elbows, but also her knees and feet! With a towel covering me from neck to feet, she spryly jumped up on the table and walked on my back, rocking back and forth from foot to foot on my butt, back and thighs. She had amazing balance.

I have been getting massage for years, usually the Swedish massage method. This massage was very different than I'm used to, but I enjoyed it and left feeling lighter and very relaxed.

More New Discoveries in NYC

Compared to my friends in Texas, we've had nice weather since I moved to NYC. Although the humidity does get to me, and the muggy air in the subways can be oppressive, I'm thankful to have missed the days of 100* in Dallas and Houston. One day as I was walking around my new neighborhood, I caught the reflection of clouds in this mirror-like building.






My cousin Rob was able to come visit me for the day on Saturday, getting a pass from West Point. It was so great to see him and to have someone to pal around with. I took him to a Mexican restaurant I've found for lunch, and he was thrilled with the almost-as-good-as-Texas taste. He then accompanied me on some errands. I wanted to go to the market at Union Square where I'd heard I could find house plants. The market was impressive, with everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to baked goods and artwork. I bought a couple plants and then realized I needed pots for them. One man suggested Home Depot, 6 blocks away.

Rob was impressed with the architecture of the building that houses Home Depot. It doesn't look like any Home Depot we were used to in Texas!




He was also as surprised and delighted with the cart escalator as I had been at Target last weekend. (This is the picture I took as discreetly as possible at Target.)













Last night, we had a pretty good sunset. I remember when my aunt Cinda lived away from Texas, telling me how much she missed the Texas sunsets. They are some of the best in the world, and I've been disappointed with the lack of color that most of the sunsets have in NYC. However, last night was a good one, and I was able to capture the nighttime view from my apartment. (For you, Jenn!)

TGIF

This work week has been a beating! My boss is on vacation -- his first in over a year -- and I'm sure he felt like he could finally take one because I'm here. However, I still have so many questions! Unfortunately, he's not back until after Labor Day. Hopefully by then I'll have it all figured out.

Not sure what I'll do this weekend. I was hoping my cousin Rob from West Point was going to get a day pass for Saturday, but since I haven't heard from him, I'm thinking it's a no-go. There's so MUCH to do, I'm almost paralyzed by indecision! Museums, musicals, shopping, the parks...

One of Those Mornings

Nightmares and night sweats last night made it tough to drag myself out of bed this morning. Then I realize I'm out of breakfast bars. Phooey. I decide to stop at Starbuck's on my way in, but not the one by my apt. I'll catch the one near the office.

I'm hot leaving the building, and I get irritable when I'm hot. I notice other people wearing jackets, while I'm in a short sleeved top carrying my blazer. The subway is stuffy as usual, and I begin to sweat. There goes my makeup again!

I walk in the Starbuck's near work and find a really long line. Well, I'm already running 10 minutes late; might as well wait. There's a family of Italians trying to decipher the board and fortunately one employee is helping them. Everyone in the place seems to be shouting. I finally get to order my iced tea and breakfast, and the lady says they're out of that breakfast. (it's one of the few healthy choices, so I decline a pastry instead.) They place my large iced tea on the counter as I'm digging in my bag for money. The lady who's ringing me up knocks it over, spilling it towards me and my bag. [angry sigh]

I pick up a whole wheat bagel in the cafe downstairs. So, I asked for low-fat cream cheese and they gave me butter. It's still edible.

So many pushing, shoving, yelling people this morning. I almost feel like crying.

But! I have something to look forward to. One of my best friends from Dallas, Wendy, is coming into town tonight, and we are going to have dinner. I'm so hungry for a friendly face, and I'm very excited to show her my new place. I'm looking forward to just hugging her, but I don't want to let go.

Interesting Tidbits

Having unpacked all my boxes, I found the dreaded scale. It rarely changes what it tells me, and while I'm glad I'm not gaining, I wish it would give me some encouragement. I decided when I was leaving Dallas that I would start dieting and exercising hard core when I moved to NYC. The exercise part is easy, since I walk a lot and take stairs in the subways, plus there's a gym in my apartment building. So, thinking "why the hell not," I stepped on the scale yesterday morning, expecting to see the same number as usual. My jaw dropped as I just stood there and stared at the number...I LOST 6 LBS! In my first week here! Six pounds!!!

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I have a very strong sense of smell. Sometimes, I love this, like when I get a whiff of something and it throws me back to a memory of a long-since-gone loved one. However, a lot of people in NY stink. What are they eating? Do they even USE deodorant? Whew! I can't stand next to them in the subway.

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I've been very fortunate in getting really great weather since I moved. I also moved just as Dallas started to have several 100* days, and I sure don't miss that. Today, it was a lovely 67* as I walked to the subway, and it makes me not even mind the rain so much. But it doesn't matter how nice and cool it is outside, the subway is warm and humid. I sweat off half my makeup before I even get to work, and between the rain and the warm, humid train, my hair flops. And then I pass in the office some young girl who's perfectly done-up, and I think, "how...?" I go to the bathroom, with its lovely flourescent lights that make your face look green, and try to salvage something. Mostly, I just give up and hope that my new coworkers will appreciate my brain and sense of humor and forgive my appearance.

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Walking through the throngs to get to work is always challenging, but the rain today makes it even more challenging. You have to navigate through the umbrellas. If your umbrella clashes with someone going the opposite way, hold firm! The umbrella that turns flips a spray of water on the owner. Plus, if you're wearing pants, roll up the bottoms. It's easier to dry off your legs than to dry out the soaking hems. (I decided to just wear a skirt, which looks lovely with sneakers, don't you think?)

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If you decide to be comfortable and wear sneakers to work, don't forget to pack your other shoes to change into when you get to the office. The geeky sneakers-with-skirt look may pass on the streets of NY, but it doesn't look great walking down the halls.

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Flowers are CHEAP here. I bought one of my coworkers two dozen roses for her birthday for just $10!!!

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There are a lot of attractive men in NY. The problem is, you see them as they pass you on the street or in the subway. How are you supposed to get their attention? Fall at their feet? Ask for directions? Ah, well. With my flopped hair and sweaty face, I'm probably not looking my best at the moment anyway.

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I'm having lots of new adventures and seeing lots of great stuff, but I have been so terribly homesick. I miss my friends. I miss seeing familiar faces when I walk down the hall in the office. I miss having REAL conversations, not just superficial ones, with people who know me and love me inspite of my foibles. I miss Tex-Mex food, although maybe that's part of the reason I've lost six pounds. (Did I tell you I lost SIX POUNDS?) I miss the security of knowing where things are. I really miss my friends.

A Trip to Target, New-York-Style

Well, I think I was being overly optimistic on Friday about getting in a museum and bike ride this weekend. My big excursions (when I did leave the apartment and all its boxes) were to Target and Container Store.

I had looked online and found that the closest Target stores are in Jersey and Brooklyn. I haven't yet ventured into Jersey, and since I've been to a part of Brooklyn before, I felt more comfortable with that location. I took the subway there, and when I emerged from underground, I thought, "now which way should I go?" I don't have a good map of Brooklyn, and although I had the address, I wasn't sure if it was right or left from the subway station. I decided to just pick a route and hope to figure it out. I turned the first corner, and there was Target across the street! I laughed at my good fortune.

This Target is in a mall, so strange to me, and is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors. To accommodate for this, they have an escalator especially for shopping carts!!! I was amazed, having never seen such a commodity, and I admit that I had to pull my camera out of my bag and take a quick pic! (I'm sure I looked either horribly touristy or like I was investigating this Target store.) Unfortunately, you'll have to wait for this sight, because I forgot my camera cord today. (I don't yet have internet access at home.)

I had to get several heavy items at Target, including cat food, laundry detergent, stain remover, fabric softener, glass cleaner, etc. I tried to get the smallest ones of each of these, knowing I would be carrying them back to Manhattan. I even decided not to get a few things, delaying them for a future trip, to try and limit the weight.

The lines at checkout were unbelievably long. Fortunately, I had a book with me for reading on the subway, so I just read while I stood in line. It took 50 MINUTES for me to checkout. FIFTY! But, what else could I do? I needed these items, and they would cost several dollars more at the local drug store near my apartment.

Oh, those bags were heavy! I stopped at each red light and put them down to give my poor, purple fingers a break. I was glad to get a break on the subway, but not looking forward to carrying them the rest of the way home. As I was nearing home, some frustratingly slow tourists were in front of me. I felt like shouting, "Excuse me!!!! My fingers are about to fall off here! Move the F*$# out of the way!" (I resisted the urge.) My back was starting to hurt, too. Finally, exhausted, I walked into my building, and the friendly doorman said, "Would you like some help?" I gladly handed the bags over to him, and he carried them the rest of the way to my door.

The whole trip took 2 hours. What an excursion! Back in Dallas, when I owned a car, I could get to Target and back home in 20-30 minutes.

Star Sighting and Other Hum-Drum

Last night, I decided to make my way to Chelsea, the gay-borhood, for a highly recommended Thai restaurant, Spice. On my way there, I passed RIGHT by Mario Cantone, who played Anthony, Charlotte's gay friend, on Sex in the City!!! Wow...

I took a couple wrong turns on the way back to my place, but I finally made it home. Yesterday was very humid here in NYC, and I came home with pink cheeks and sweaty hair. Then I tackled those boxes! (some anyway)

I don't know when, but I have jammed the ring finger on my left hand. This makes it difficult to unpack boxes, wash my hair, etc. It's pretty swollen, but I can still move it, so I don't think it's broken. Just a minor inconvenience.

It's supposed to rain here tomorrow, so I plan on getting the rest of the boxes unpacked and maybe going to a museum. There's so much I haven't seen in the City. Sunday is supposed to be sunny and relatively mild, so I'm hoping to take my new street bicycle out for a spin.

Ooh! I just got my business cards...so cool to read "Senior Vice President" under my name. :-)

110 Things

That's how many items were unloaded from the moving van. To be fair, though, a few items had more than one sticker, and for some reason, stickers #59 and 60 weren't used. But everything had a sticker -- each box, piece of furniture, ironing board, etc.

Whew! I'm glad it's here, but I have a lot in front of me. Namely, a wall of boxes and some creative thinking to figure out where it's all going to go!

Hoops and Baskets

Well, I learned yesterday that my furniture and stuff won't be arriving until Thursday. [Groan] I'm really not sleeping all that well on the inflatable mattress. Last night, I kept waking up and checking the clock (my cell phone) to see if it was close to time to get up. First time I remember wishing the night would go faster. (Generally, I LOVE to sleep.)

Everything about this move has been, to say in a positive light, an adventure. (Jumping through hoops and discovering there's no floor after the hoop feels more like it.) One such hoop: getting the key to my apartment.

I called the building manager -- let's just call her V -- the week before my arrival, asking if I would be able to pick up the key when I arrived on Sunday. No...since the management office isn't open on Sundays, that wouldn't work. I asked if I could have a friend pick it up (one of my new coworkers, an extremely nice and helpful girl, lives close by), and V said yes, I would just need to have a notarized letter sent to the main office and fax her a copy. I did that, sending the notarized letter by FedEx to ensure it arrived.

Saturday comes, and I get a call from my coworker-friend, letting me know they didn't "have the key ready." (whatever that means) Seems she was told by V that it was V's mistake and that she was now trying to bend the rules by letting the "super" give me the key on Sunday. My coworker-friend told me to "get New-York on her," meaning give her attitude if she didn't come through.

When I arrived on Sunday, as previously posted (below), everyone in the building seemed to know I was from Texas and was waiting for me. Yesterday, I finally met V, an intense, slightly frazzled NY- or NJ-accented woman, who apologized profusely for the mix-up. At this point, she's bending over backwards for me to do whatever she can to make my life better. Then, she said, "I have a little something for you to apologize." And she comes back from around the corner with a HUGE basket of food and goodies! It includes cookies, juice, jelly, snack bars, fruit, pasta & sauce, bread, cheese, and some plastic ware. All this, and I didn't even have to "get NY."

First Day

Yesterday I flew to New York with two suitcases, a carry-on and Sabrina in a pet carrier. I'm now a New Yorker! (Hence, I felt the blog needed a new look -- sorry, Hannah, for being a copy-cat. There are limited good designs.)


When I boarded the plane, it hit me: I'm leaving behind so many wonderful friends and will be much further from my family. I also felt guilty for giving Sabrina a sedative. (She didn't like how she felt or the pet carrier and was vocal about it. She kept doing flips and scratching at the zippered doors to get out.) I cried and cried, feeling very self-conscious with so many people around me. Everyone ignored me, though, which was kind of weird.


The flight seemed interminably long, mostly because I was so concerned about Sabrina. I kept the bag on my lap for most of the flight, and she would calm for short periods of time before flipping around again. The turbulence we experienced for 30-40 minutes was her least favorite.

After a long, but informative, cabby ride to Tribeca, I arrived at my apartment building and was met by the doorman, "Are you the one from Texas?" They were expecting me and the elevator guy (did I tell you there are elevator guys?!) helped me with my bags.

It was a beautiful day to arrive in NY. It was 85* and sunny, with low humidity. The sun was shining off the Hudson River, making the view from my apartment especially nice. I bought a few necessities for Sabrina and me -- cat litter, toilet paper, trash bags, paper towels and a shower curtain -- since we'll be camping out on an inflatable mattress until the furniture and my boxes arrive (probably Tuesday or Wednesday). Poor thing, she was still feeling the effects of the sedation and stumbled around our new, empty place like a drunk.

My cousin Kelley happens to be in NYC visiting a friend, and she was the first to get to see my new place last night. We had a nice dinner, chatting and catching up, and then watched the sun set at a park by the Hudson.

Today, I felt like a kid on the first day of school! I stopped by Starbucks for caffeine and breakfast, caught the 4 Train to Grand Central station, and walked to work. (I sold my motorcycle last Monday and my car on Saturday.) My coworkers are excited to have me in the office full-time, and I got a hug from my boss and one of the girls in my department. :-)

It's another beautiful day. Today, in addition to work, I'm hoping to open a bank account (my previous bank doesn't have offices in this part of the country!) and get the official Welcome from the apartment management, which will include a tour of the fitness facility and all the rules. I also have yet to find a grocery store! So many new things. It feels like more than just a new chapter in my life. It's like the first chapter in a new book.

My Little Partner

As Jenn mentioned on her blog, when I heard she and Anthony would be coming to Dallas early this week to help his mom, I asked if I could take Anna home with me! She agreed, and Anna was very excited. We drove to Waco and had dinner with my grandma, great aunt, uncle and his family. Unfortunately, the traffic was TERRIBLE Sunday night, and Anna got into bed very late.

It worked out that they couldn't coordinate with Anthony's mom until Tuesday, so Anna stayed with me as I worked from home yesterday. We went to Pancake House for breakfast, and then Anna did crafts and was politely quiet when I had to hold conference calls on the phone. Knowing that both my sisters are very good about serving their kids healthy meals, I cooked salmon with wild rice and sauteed zucchini. However, Anna mostly ate the rice. She likes the other stuff, but her tummy was hurting from too many appetizer nuts. (oh well!)

Yesterday, Anna said, "Why does my family keep calling me?"
I said, "Because they miss you Anna!"
She said, "But I don't miss them."

This morning, she said, "I'm not feeling well. I think I'm a little bit feverish. I think I'm home sick."

Truckin'

Yesterday, I drove this truck full of furniture and towed my CRV to Austin. I just couldn't bear to sell some of my furniture, especially the pieces that are family heirlooms, and fortunately, my uncle Tom and my sister Jenn and bro-in-law Anthony were willing and able to take various pieces.

Colin and Anna were really impressed with the truck! They both had to pretend to drive it. Colin had to stretch to make his feet reach the pedals!

Another Goodbye

Last night, I volunteered at Parkland's neonatal intensive care unit for the last time. It was so difficult leaving, walking through the halls and thinking this is the last time I'm going to do this.

What made it even sadder for me was the fact that my good friend and the nurse who I prefer to work with, Lily, wasn't there. I saw her last week, and I refused to let her get sad when I left, agreeing that we'd see each other again this week. When I asked if she had called in sick, the nurse manager said she was taking a two week vacation. Her husband works for an airline and has flight benefits, and she mentioned they'd been debating going to England to see her brother and his family.

The hospital had a record seven sets of twins born in a two-and-a-half day period, so I was able to help quite a bit last night. I held (one at a time) twin boys, and two twin girls who's twins were already home. The first twin boy was very snuggly, and I enjoyed holding him.

As I walked out of the hospital to the parking garage, I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I know I can find a hospital in NYC in which to volunteer, but I will miss the friends I've made. Especially Lily. She is a great nurse, always doing whatever the baby needs (like a bath) even if it's not required. Some of the other nurses are lazy, but Lily really does what's best for her little patients. She talks to them in a matter-of-fact tone and has taught me so much about premies and nursing. She's very modest, strongly religious, and feels her emotions deeply. She still gets teared up when talking about her sister who died more than 10 years ago. She would always give me a hug when I left and would be so appreciative when I walked in, saying my name, "Emileeeee!" She knew I love Indian food and would bring me leftovers of foods she and her husband had prepared. I couldn't even pronounce everything, but it was so good.

I had brought her a small gift and card, which I left in her mailbox. I just missed getting one last hug.