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