What happened to September?

This month has flown by so fast. I cannot believe it is almost October. Well, yes I can, the temperature drops about 5 degrees a day! Days are nice; nights are chilly. Last week I went with a friend from work (who is also from Arkansas, and graduated U of A with Mickey) to Philharmonic. It was engaging and powerful. The venue was not only gorgeous and acoustically near perfection, but the performance was above and beyond anything I expected.
As most people know, I don't have a strong... ugh, or any background in music. I've been tone deaf forever and have zero rythym. I can't even clap on beat to music. Nonetheless, I appreciate music and the musicians creating the sound. Their knowledge and skill dumbfounds me. It is a skill I will more than likely never acquire and I'm OK with that. But seriously, for everyone who had to put up with my obnoxious singing and lack of instrumental talent... I'm sorry you had to put up with me. (I.e. piano lessons, chimes, hand bells, and any association to a choir over 16 years).
Check out the Web site for Philharmonic. It was truly amazing.

Work related news: I have been taking pictures of countless things for the past two weeks. I was hesitant at first about this because my photography background includes one class in college: Basic Press Photography. I started off a little rocky but the more I have done the more comfortable I've become. I really enjoy shooting and editing the visual content for so many magazines. It is a lot of fun. Overall, I am broadening my artistic capabilities and skill. I could not be more happy to have this opportunity. Check out a few photos that I have taken in the past few weeks.

It's official

I am a member of the largest Mizzou alumnae association: the New York City Chapter. I don't want to brag or anything, but I made the Web site.
Jealous? I know, some people just can't make it big! JUST KIDDING! But I did make it onto the alumni chapter's photo gallery, along with Morgan and her mom. Morgan's parents drove up from Pennsylvania Saturday morning to go with us to the "Mizzou Bar" (i.e. McFadden's on 42nd & 2nd). Each game day the chapter decorates the bar with banners, pompoms, drink specials, all with the fight song playing in the background. It's not like being at Farout Field, but I guess since I have to be in New York... McFadden's is the place to be. (And yes I do understand the bar has the same name as DMac, coincidence? Must be fate!)

While viewing this photo, please acknowledge that I am wearing a red cardigam (underlying meaning.... GO HOGS!) and I also have a magnetic, LED light up Razorback on my shirt. You can take the girl out of Arkansas but you can't take Arkansas out of the girl!

I have not done a lot within the past week but I did snag a part-time job at GAP, only four blocks from my apartment. I did not even go in to apply, I went to check out a few light sweaters and shirts that I had seen online and the girl checking me out was my manager from Banana Republic in Soho last summer. OMG, she was my favorite! I'm glad that it was easy to get a part-time job, but I'm more excited that I get my GAP Inc. discount back! OH how I have missed having that extra 50% off!

full speed ahead

Did I post earlier saying September was going to be a good month? If I didn't post it, I told everyone I have spoken to, and I mean as of September 1 I knew it was going to be a good month. (Its only half way done but so far, so good, and each day is getting better).

Drumroll.....

I know you all have been waiting for me to "do something" besides decorate my apartment, visit museums, and meet new people. Ha! Well, last week I found an internship application online, which I wasn't even applicable for, but I recognized the email: Susan, a U of A alum who graduated in journalism with Mickey. I emailed her to say hi, what's up, yada yada yada, I'm a fellow Arkansan and we know a mutual blonde.

So, we set up a meet n' greet and I pretty much fell in love, ha! No, but she is a great person and I am so glad I finally met her. After I left her office, I took the train back up to the UWS and immediately when I got off the train, I had an email from the photo editor at Niche Media (where I had just been); I emailed her back and said I could come back down for an interview, and that it would be about half an hour. One thing led to another and I'm now interning at Niche Media, and I can't tell you how much I am enjoying it. I've been brushing up on my photography skills and shooting products for different mags and talking to people all over the country to get their business, product, or event illustrated in one of Niche Media's 13 magazines.

The people have been fantastic and the work has been enjoyable and I look forward to going each day.

Not only do I "have something to do each day," but I'm learning new things, working in a fabulous atmosphere, meeting new people, and enjoying myself. Right now things are going really great. That might be why I haven't posted in several days.....

I also haven't posted because Friday I came down with something, started resembling the flu, but I was back to 100% on Monday so it must have been either a virus or a "short-term flu." Regardless, I feel much better, I'm back to my 'A' game!

Hope all is well at home. Go HOGS! Beat Georgia on Saturday!!!!

new additions

Here are a few pictures I promised last week. It has taken a little while to get everything together, but all in good time. Notice the chairs. Finally another place to sit besides the floor and my bed. Still one missing ingredient though, the bed frame has not arrived yet. It should be here in before September ends, keep your fingers crossed.

Oh, Patpat, the tomato knife was delivered. Its new home is in New York. Also, thank you for the picture of your "flocked" yard. Great idea that your youth group did!

what more do i need?

I have chairs and Whitney Houston.

I have beautiful weather that I have never, EVER experienced before Labor Day weekend.

I have meetings and brunches scheduled with magazine people this week.

I got a pedicure and manicure for $20.

Oh, and I am only a short train ride away from the US Open.

Before moving to New York, I didn't have a job, which is still the case today, but people continually told me that September should start changing things up, for the better. Today is September 1, and already I can see things changing.

My design professor from college told me that I could not say I was unemployed until September. Until then I could say, "I'm a recent graduate." Well I guess today I am to consider myself officially unemployed.

Usually I wake up and wonder, "what the heck am I going to do today?" But after falling asleep watching Andy Roddick's first round, I had an amazing slumber and awoke refreshed and ready to start the day. Although I am still unemployed and trying to budget myself under $20 a day, life has its perks in New York. Like this morning, I woke up, made myself breakfast (scrambled eggs and toast...yum!) walked down to the corner for a grande coffee and then walked into the nail salon for a mani and pedi.

After getting my nails done (and for once not ruining them in 10 minutes) I went to Central Park. Yesterday, mom texted me and asked if I was going to see Whitney Houston, and I really had no idea what she was talking about since I haven't woken up in time to watch GMA in weeks. (aka Good Morning America for all you Today Show people...) But after researching it a bit, I saw that she was singing at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, Sept. 1. But then all I saw was "gates open at 11:00a.m.

Since i am not a die-hard fan of Whitney's I did not camp out to get in or go early this morning, I decided to stroll by after noon to see if she had started singing. A combination of my my tone-deafness as well as no sense of "on key/off key" I thought everything I heard was awesome. Apparently her voice cracked, but I don't know if I heard it or I was just in awe of her voice all together that I just overlooked it. Read the story here, or watch GMA tomorrow morning for the real show.

Regardless of the critics, hearing WH apologize, blah, blah, blah, her voice is still amazing and from what I heard I give her two thumbs-up!

The other amazing thing that has happened in my life? CHAIRS.

I have sat on the floor to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the past six weeks, but as of 3 o'clock yesterday, I got to sit in a chair and I haven't really left the chair since then. I've said it before but I'll say it again, each day my apartment feels more and more like home. Eating dinner while sitting in a chair seemed like a luxury yesterday.

I'm not at the apartment now, but when I get back I will be taking new pictures of my home to show you all the updates. The only thing missing is a bed frame, but I'm in no hurry, I feel on top of the world with my mattress on the floor!

Until next time,

ms