90 mph is to slow

This past week has been the best and fastest week since being in the city. Last Wednesday night my best friend, who is currently living in Los Angeles, flew out to visit me for an entire week. I haven't seen her in nearly 18 months, so when I caught sight of her in Penn Station, I ran and screamed and we hugged and we looked like two typical girls. Since Mackenzie arrived, it has been one adventure after another. She accompanied our class on several media tours Friday morning, including a tour of NBC studios, Fox News Business, and of course the GMA summer series concert in Bryant Park which kicked off the morning, rocking to the great but ancient, Boys to Men. 

Saturday and Sunday flew by as we did not stop for much of anything. We shopped in SoHo, went to MoMA, which is hands down my favorite place in the city. We also went to vintage shopping, and found one of a kind original artwork on the street which was to good to pass up. We caught the late showing of Sex and the City, went to Coney Island to put our feet in the sand and ride the Cyclone. (Coney Island: I suggest that everyone visits at least once. If you've been you know what I mean). Oh goodness, thats not even all we did. We saw Wall St., the Statue of Liberty at night, Trinity church, Tribeca, and so much more. 

Monday I took Mackenzie to Toys' R Us in Times Square. We stayed in the Barbie house for at least an hour. Hey, once a kid, always a kid. Our friend Kevin met up with us and took pictures of Kenzie and I with the Naked Cowboy, played in Central park, and toured the American Museum of Natural History. Kevin and I showed Mackenzie back to Times Square to do some more shopping and sightseeing as we had to go to class at the New York Public Library. 

It technically wasn't even class. We heard an amazing story written by a New York Times writer, Lily Koppel, who has recently published The Red Leather Diary. A fascinating story of journalism and stumbling upon a diary nearly 70 years old and being able to reconnect with the owner herself. I plan on getting a copy as soon as I can, but I suggest you read it yourself. I seriously could not keep my eyes and ears off of Koppel's story last night. 

Today Mackenzie and I are going to the Met and Magnolia Bakery before she leaves tomorrow morning. I hope we can fit everything in that she wants to do, but seeing as its almost 1 o'clock... time is slipping away. But I know we will. My guess is, we won't sleep until it is all done. And then, its back to work tomorrow.

  "peace to you..." - magz (and kenzie)

The birthday is officially over

After celebrating for nearly a week a half, it is officially time to say my birthday is over. Although it was a terrific birthday and I wish it could go on forever, the day has retired. But no worries, I'm still going t0 talk about it until the day I die. As I said said earlier, my birthday dinner in Rockefeller Plaza was great but I wanted to add a picture for everyone.

After the anticipation all week, we finally made it to Friday. The night to go out and celebrate the right way. We started in Greenwich Village at a bar called Off the Wagon - beer pong tables included. We will definitely be going back, but that was a mere detour to our main destination, the Mansion. Walking a block over from the bar we tried to hail a couple of cabs for twenty minutes. We became so desperate we were about to take two gypsy cabs, but no, God knew we needed to arrive in style. A limo pulled up and offered us all a ride, so yes we took the limo to the Mansion (picture below). Arriving at the club, we stepped out and were immediately let in through the ropes and cut the entire line, that was as long as the building. (My roommate's boss hooked us up on that one). On top of that we didn't have to pay cover. We headed straight to the Ballroom, got a drink, took a tour of every room, and then settled in the Living Room to dance all night to 80s, 90s, and the best tunes of today.

After having a great time on Friday night, we had a very laid back Saturday. Watching TV, sleeping, and laughing about the night. Yes, I did say watching TV. Friday night when we were heading back to the house the boys saw a TV outside our apartment but thought nothing of it. When they were leaving they saw it again and brought it up. It works and we have about ten channels. After no TV for three weeks. This is a birthday miracle!!

Yesterday we slept in and then headed uptown to the Met. Yes, I spent more time at the Met. But it is so great, that no one could ever get enough. I will probably go back at least three more times before the end of the summer. Here is a picture of my roommates, Stephanie, Bridget and I and our friend Kelly, on the roof of the Met overlooking Central Park and the West Side. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Successful Week

Well its finally Friday and really, I couldn't be more happy. Tonight is my birthday party! I have my birthday dress ready with my shoes and jewelry sitting nicely on my dresser waiting for me to put them on. It's going to be a fun night, but before I get into details about tonight I need to catch you up on the past week. Probably the best week I've had thus far. Monday began with a sardine like trip on the train at 8 a.m. to visit Century 21. I arrived an hour late to meet my friend Casey after getting lost numerous times and having zero directions. The Blackberry with GPS that I got on Tuesday would have really come in handy in that situation, but obviously this situation took place 24 hours before. At least it won't happen again with the trusty Google maps in the palm of my hand. How I ever survived before is a mystery to me. 

After walking two miles back home from Century 21 in one of the worst heat waves I have experienced I quickly took a freezing shower and met up with Kevin to head to the Yankees game. I was outside virtually 

all day, and my horrible tan line that lasted all of 36 hours was proof. The game was awesome. Yankee stadium was very cool, and the new one is gorgeous from the outside. (The picture is Kevin and I at the baseball game).

Tuesday was my birthday. I finally became legal. Even though I was never carded on my birthday... even when buying at a liquor store. Gee, thanks. Whelp, that's New York for ya. Tuesday evening a few of my girlfriends and I went uptown to Rockafeller Plaza for a great dinner. It was a low key night because we all had work on Wednesday. -- (I know... that was so adult of me to say...)

Wednesday and Thursday were work, work, work, and exhaustion, exhaustion, exhaustion. I love my job. It is so much fun to go in everyday. But I have been on the go so much that I was finally tired Thursday morning. But it didn't last long because my cousin Katie and her husband Andrew, who live in D.C., came into the city and took me to dinner. It was fantastic! Best meal I  have had since  I have been here. It was a great birthday dinner and an awesome treat to see them. I'm hoping to make it down to D.C. before the end of the summer. 

This brings me to today. Not only was work really fun this morning, but all of our computers were getting updated so we HAD TO leave at three. It was great surprise. When I got off work, I began wondering and "got lost in the city." (My favorite thing to do!) I found a few wonderful boutiques and great shoe stores. I wondered from 59th and 8th Ave. to 34th and Lexington. It was gorgeous outside so I put my walking shoes on (which are always in my purse, if not on my feet) and hit the street running, well, walking aggressively. My ipod was in and I was in heaven. 

But when I stumbled upon Banana Republic, I couldn't help myself but go in. I found the cutest turquoise t-shirt dress and a great long jacket/sweater on sale that will be perfect for work. 

Want to know where my birthday party is???? Check it out. It's at the Mansion. I've only heard good things, but I'll test it out and let you know.  I think that is all for now. I'll post soon. 

-magz

Spontaneity

Saturdy was the best surprise I have had since being in the city. One of the most amazing people I know, Elise, missed her flight to London and was "forced" to stay in New York for 24 hours. If I could pick any place to have a 24 layover, New York would be at the top of my list. Elise along with her mother and sister, invited me to come to lunch with them on the upper west side. An offer I couldn't refuse! 

After having an italian lunch, we all traveled downtown to Time Square. I tagged along and the four of us bought tickets to see Avenue Q. Okay, a must see. You have to take the "earmuffs" off for this show because the language, content, and puppetry make you want to fall out of your chair with laughter. 

After record high temperatures yesterday, I finally decided to call maintenance about the air conditioning. (We have three units in our apartment, one in each bedroom, and of course, mine hasn't worked since we got here). Needless to say, call the maintenance department of my building was almost as simple as pushing the "on" button. Over the phone a very nice woman told me how to restart the unit and get it to work. Immediately a gush of wind blew at my face. Now I can say with confidence, I will be able to survive the summer on this island. But hey, I went 13 days without air conditioning which my no means was a struggle but a mere inconvenience. 

Side note about Elise - she helped me for endless hours to get my internship... Thank you, thank you! 

It can't rain on my parade

On my first morning of work, I took the L up to 8th Ave.. and it was... crowded. No, packed. No, over crowded. I can't describe it, but I'm glad I left an hour before I had to be at work. 

I was able to get a seat on the L after a couple of stops but once I finally reached the station at 8th Ave.., I scurried through the masses to catch the A. Luckily, it was there waiting on me. It was fate. "On 45 blocks to go..." I thought to myself. I slipped into the orange plastic seat, crossed my legs, held my purse, and tried harder than ever not to smile like a "cheese-ball."

Needless to say, I wasn't nervous about my first day of work, only filled with a lot of excitement and a tad bit of anxiety. After 45 minutes of riding the train to Columbus Circle, the rain had subsided and I walked towards my building. Now my perfectionism kicked in. I paced in front of the building, (probably looking like an idiot). Yes I paced... back and forth. It was 9:48 a.m. and I didn't know how early to be. Usually I would have ducked into a Starbucks for a quick second, but there was not one in eye sight. Shocker I know. 

Finally I walked in with hundreds of people who actually knew what they were doing. In awe of the waterfalls and escalators I made a right to the information desk.  I sat and waited. I was early. Go figure. A few minutes later I was given directions to the 22nd floor. The lovely girl who I had spoken with on the phone met me when I stepped out of the elevator. I smiled, introduced myself, and felt right at home. The day was filled with design, photo research, and meeting people. 

If this day represents the rest of my summer, then Mom, I'm sorry, I'm not coming home!

-magz

My ipod saves me

Everyday is better than the last. Let me fill you in on my past few days in the city.

• Thursday - I always step to my own beat, but Friday it was a reality. My ipod, the Met, the subway, the city, we become one. It was enchanting. I spend hours at the Met. Since my mother has reminded me constantly to "budget" I ignored the suggested price of twenty dollars to enter the museum and gave a generous donation of two dollars. To the Met - Right now I'm a poor college student, I'll get ya back when I get a paying job one day, until then, thanks for the entry! With Kandinsky inches from my eyes, I got chills. His use of color and movement inspired me. It's disoriented but connected to flow all together. It was hard to take my eyes away. And are we kidding, Picasso's galore... breathtaking. The picture is of Jeff Koons rooftop exhibit. Very fun, very big, cool to see on a beautiful day. Thursday night I went to dinner with a friend from home who I haven't seen a very long time. I was exhausted from walking all day and he was exhausted from traveling and working all day, therefore after dinner we laid in Union Square Park and relaxed. It was a cool, clear night which was perfect to catch up with a old friend.

• Friday - Several students from my school are here, so after my roommates and I shopped all day and walked forever around Central Park, several of us decided to go to dinner together. I'm not going to mention the restaurant, but we did not receive great service, and I won't be going back, at least not with more than two people. After dinner we went out around our neighborhood and found a few cool bars and pubs that we will definitely go back to.

• Saturday - Rainy! I was soaking wet walking to the movie theatre to watch the new Sex and the City movie with friends. After being splashed by a car as it was parking, and fitting two people under one umbrella, we were glad we weren't dressed in our finest. But the movie was amazing and I suggest everyone see it, even if you aren't like me and have seen every episode of the great HBO series. Later that night my friend from West Point came in town with a friend of his and about eight of us went to dinner at the Village Pour House, which might be our new favorite place. Great atmosphere, great food, and good prices. We like! After dinner we head to midtown to meet up with more of our friends and meet some new people. Time flew and we were out for a while having an amazing time and loving every second of the night.

• Sunday - Sunday-Fun-day... or for our apartment, Sunday, sleep-day. Laying around the house till two we finally ventured outside to find lunch, which was followed by a long walk and then a long nap. Waking again in the early evening we chatted then finally decided to grab dinner about nine o'clock. Immediately following the great dinner we had, was a quick trip to the grocery and back to the apartment for a much needed night of sleep. So... instead of trying out the all you can drink mimosa's and bloody's at what seemed like every restaurants Sunday brunch menu, we slept the day away and were very content.

• Monday - Today has been catch up day. I did a couple loads of laundry, worked on some projects, read a little, and then met up with a friend to find my location of work. We finally arrived to Columbus Circle and shopped at a few places then had lunch at Whole Foods. - such a great salad bar. Now I am waiting on my roommates to return home from their first day out, then of course, celebrate with drinks tonight at dinner for the beginning of what will be a very fun and successful summer.

Now everyone should be caught up on my life in the city. (The internet in our apartment has been going in and out, so I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I will have more soon). Cross your fingers, Wednesday is the first day of work! Don't worry, I already know what I'm going to wear.

-magz