Little Me on Capital Hill

I was asked by the Children's Cause Cancer Advocacy to go to capital hill and speak to Congress. They asked me to share my experience as a childhood cancer survivor to encourage Congress to support the bill HR2109. So I figured.. why not! Liza and I hopped on the Bolt Bus and headed to DC. We attended a reception that evening where some Congressmen/women spoke and a renowned Oncologist. Their stories and information were inspiring. I will post the videos at a later time.

The next morning, Liza and I attended what we thought was going to be a training session before speaking with Congress. At this point, I had no clue what bill I was speaking about, what it did, and why it was important. It didn't take long before I realized that the information they were discussing was completely irrelevant to what I needed to know before speaking to Congress. At the end, I was informed that I would be leading the team when meeting with Rep. Maloney who is the representative for the 14th district in NY. Happens to be where I live. I left in panic with 45 minutes to cross the mall and meet Rep Maloney.  I was in complete panic. We called Liza's mom and had a government 101 crash course in 5 min. What is a constituent? caucus? Bill HR2109? I felt so unprepared, but I knew my story and hoped that was going to be my saving grace. 

We arrived with plenty of time. Paced the Halls. Took some pictures. Gathered my thoughts. We walked in at 1:59 pm. 

I shared my story. She listened for 40 minutes. She agreed to support the Pediatric Cancer Caucus and support bill HR2109. 

We then went to our second meeting and spoke to Rep. Engel. He was not as receptive, but we will follow up and get him to support this caucus.

I learned a lot and saw a whole different side of our government that I had always shyed away from. I will encourage people to get out there and use your voice. If Elle woods can do it, so can we!

Knicks vs Wizardssss

It is a monday night in NYC. The weekend was busy and fun as always. Not sure what I did. Sure it was great. So what do we do on a monday night? Go watch Lacey's friend Shawn Livingston, who plays for the Wizards. It was the Knicks last game of the season. They won. It was fun. We sat in the press box and ate everything that the snack shack had to offer, and we drank beer. Good Times.

Not Just another Lobster Roll

No lack of amazing restaurants here in NYC. It is the best and worst part of this crazy city. I can walk out my door and eat the best Hero Sandwich in town. It has taken a toll on the bank account and the waist line, but aren't we supposed to enjoy the moment?! 

Anyways, my friends here in the city came across this guy named Ben who makes lobster rolls in his apartment in Brooklyn. So of course, we had to try it out. On a day with terential down pour, we decided to make the trek to Brooklyn and try out no just another Lobster Roll. Below is the video on you tube about him.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJLrliYmqSs

Here are a couple pics to begin to explain this insane experience.

We almost drowned on the way there!

Enjoying champagne in plastic cups courtesy of Mr. Beaudin while Ben made the rolls.

Where the magic happens.

What do you do after you just ate the most amazing lobster roll ever?

go to a bar. drink. and play skeeball. obviously!

Welcome to Manhattan

I wanted to make sure that I am taking advantage of this BEAUTIFUL weather so I went for a walk across the Williamsburg Bridge today.

It is moments like these that I will cherish and appreciate. I do love this city. It has so much to offer. It is amazing and unique. I am never bored. It is a place where you can make your dreams come true. I was daydreaming about what I came here to do, how much I have achieved, the unforeseen struggles of living in this crazy city, and what the future holds for me. After a great afternoon of enjoying the weather, my thoughts, and some exercise, I saw this...

and I remembered that this is my home. I am going to make this work. I am not giving up. This is a place that I have dreamed of living. Now I live here. Welcome to Manhattan!

Courtney

welcome anna and sunshine

After weeks (actually months) of bad weather and gloomy days, my dear friend Anna came to visit me and brought much needed sunshine. I forgot how much I loved NYC in the warm weather without oil, garbage, and dog accessorized snow. Everything looks and feels different. The lines at the Shake Shack are longer.

 

The squirrels are back.

 Everyone seems to be happier and rejuvenated. The sunshine could not have come at a better time. However, I would over hear people saying, "it is hot outside" as my friend Anna is bundled in a down jacket and scarf. It may not be Southern California hot, but it is hot after the cold, snowy winter we had!

We tried a lot of new restaurants that I have been wanting to try. Alice's Tea Cup is so adorable. We got amazing tea and a selection of delicious cookies. YUM!

 

Recently, a friend of mine discovered the most amazing coffee shop in the Ace Hotel. I have been wanting to try the adjoining restaurant as well. Anna and I decided to give it a try and split a Lamb burger. It was perfect. I am not a huge meat eater, but it was moist, flavorful, and tender. I loved this place and would most definitely go back. 

In addition to eating and drinking, we did do some other NY things. We saw the Broadway show Next to Normal which was amazing, but it was not your typical flashy Broadway musical. I would recommend it as long as you are aware that it is more theater than a musical. 

Even though Anna had to go back to San Diego, and I already miss her dearly, I hope that this beautiful weather is here to stay!! It was truly a great weekend!

Courtney

I am right here

Sorry for the 4 month sebbatical. I think that is part of the whole taking on new york thing. There is so much going on, so many people visiting, restaurants to try, shows to see, snow to play in. I am starting to understand this love / hate relationship that many people have with this city. Some mornings I wake up and can't believe that I live in the middle of Manhattan and curiously go exploring, and some mornings I would rather catch the next flight to Los Angeles except there is a huge blizzard outside which is creating record breaking snowfall since the 1800's. In a nutshell, I am happy and love this place, but miss the sunshine, my family, and CA friends!

I have moved into my apartment, but it does take time to make it a home. It is a process, but it is getting there! It is so tiny, but I am learning how little you need to live. I mean little in terms of things NOT money. It is amazing how much more expensive it is here, and I have so much less. I have no cable/tv, no car, no phone, no internet, and it still costs me a fortune! At least I don't have the moose head!

 

I love my desk and my window. Now that I work from home, I often pretend that I am Carrie Bradshaw. I am understand why she put her sweaters in the oven and shoes in the kitchen cabinets. I am tempted to do that as well as it seems that is the only space in this place. 

I am going to try to do a better job keeping this blog up. No promises, but I will make an effort.

Signing off with Love,

Courtney

My "Peace" of Mind

I am not used to having so much free time these days. There are some pros and cons to that. I often times find myself worrying more than I should or analyzing things that are out of my control. I am starting to drive myself crazy! I try to go for a run every morning. This gives me time to enjoy my new home, explore, get rid of this built up energy, and find some peace in this crazy city. I have found an amazing running path 2 blocks from my home on the East River. It is not such a bad place. It is moments like these that I am convinced everything is going to be ok!

Love,

Courtney